Sridevi, a name synonymous with grace and talent in Indian cinema, left an indelible mark on the industry. Her captivating performances transcended language barriers, making her a true superstar.
Biography/Wiki
Born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan on August 13, 1963, in Meenampatti, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India, Sridevi’s journey began far beyond the glamorous world of Bollywood. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013, a prestigious honor bestowed upon her by the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. This recognition underscored her significant contributions to Indian cinema and her unparalleled acting prowess.
Her acting career spanned decades, featuring collaborations with legendary actors like Jeetendra, Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, and Anil Kapoor, to name a few. Her versatility allowed her to effortlessly transition between various roles and genres, cementing her status as a true icon.
Family, Caste & Boyfriend
Sridevi hailed from an OBC (Naidu community & Nadars) caste. Her parents were lawyer Ayyapan Yanger and Rajeswari Yanger. She had two stepbrothers, Anand and Satish, and a sister, Latha. Her personal life was as captivating as her professional one. She first married Mithun Chakraborty in 1985, a union that ended in divorce in 1988.
In 1996, she remarried film producer Boney Kapoor. This marriage brought forth two daughters: actress Janhvi Kapoor and social media influencer Khushi Kapoor. She also became a stepmother to Anshula and Arjun Kapoor.
Rumors surrounded Janhvi’s birth, with some claiming she was born out of wedlock. However, Boney Kapoor publicly denied these allegations in an interview clarifying the timeline of their marriage.
Career
Sridevi’s acting career started incredibly early. At just four years old, she made her debut in the Tamil film Thunaivan (1967). While her initial appearance may have been brief, it laid the foundation for a remarkable career. Her subsequent roles in films like Babu (1971) and Poompatta (1971) gained her considerable recognition, even earning her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist for her performance in Poompatta.
As a child artist, she appeared in a diverse range of films including:
- Nam Naadu (Tamil, 1969)
- Maa Nanna Nirdoshi (Telugu, 1970)
- Badi Panthulu (Telugu, 1972)
- Vasantha Maaligai (Tamil, 1972)
- Prarthanai (Tamil, 1973)
- Bhakta Kumbara (Kannada, 1974)
- Julie (Hindi, 1975)
After a break following her marriage, Sridevi returned to the screen in 2004 with the Hindi TV serial Malini Iyer and continued to diversify her work in television and modeling.
Her final Bollywood film, Mom (2017), showcased her exceptional acting once more before her untimely passing. She also made a final appearance in Zero (2018), completing filming shortly before her death.
Controversies
Sridevi’s life wasn’t without its share of controversies. Her marriage to Mithun Chakraborty initially sparked rumours but was later confirmed, causing a media frenzy. Her subsequent marriage to Boney Kapoor also stirred controversy due to his pre-existing marriage to Mona Shourie Kapoor.
Death Cause
On February 24, 2018, Sridevi tragically passed away in Dubai, UAE. She accidentally drowned in a bathtub at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel while attending a family wedding. Boney Kapoor, initially a person of interest, later clarified details of her health issues, including low blood pressure and fainting spells, attributing her death to an accident rather than foul play.
Facts
Here are some lesser-known facts about the legendary Sridevi:
- She loved visiting the Tirupati temple with her grandfather as a child.
- She was a member of the Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT).
- She earned the nickname “Thunder Thighs” after her performance in Himmatwala (1983).
- She was a talented painter, and some of her work was even sold at international auctions.
- She graced the covers of numerous prestigious fashion magazines.
- Despite not having formal dance training, she was widely considered a brilliant dancer.
- Initially struggling with Hindi, her dialogues were dubbed in early films before she gained fluency.
- Chandni (1989) was her first film to feature her natural voice and earned her the household name.
- She rejected roles in several hit films like Rangeela, Baazigar, Mohabbatein, and Baghban.
- She was known for her memorable double roles.
- Her mother had a small uncredited role in the Telugu film Shanti Niwaasam and its Hindi remake, Gharana.
- Despite being contemporaries, she only starred with Amitabh Bachchan in three films.
- She underwent cosmetic surgeries in the 1990s.
- She was named the most admired Bollywood actress in a 2012 mobile survey.
- She was voted India’s Greatest Actress in a 2013 poll.
- A wax statue of Sridevi was unveiled at Madame Tussauds Singapore in 2019.
- She was deeply religious, often undertaking barefoot pilgrimages.