Will Bollywood Be Able to Breathe after Sridevi’s Death?

Surprising facts about Sri Devi’s death and read all about the actress and her career graph from birth to death

A chapter of acting rather an entire book of acting is closed now after the demise of the first superstar actress of Bollywood, the legendary Sridevi who was an epitome of beauty packed with tremendous amount of talents. Still I am under monstrous shock and my mind and heart are not able to believe the news of this supremely talented and gorgeous veteran actress’ death. By the time I watched the news on different news channels on Sunday, 25^th February probably at noon about the sudden death of the actress, I literally rubbed my eyes again and again because it was surely unbelievable news. For the ones who do not know the details, Sridevi passed away on Saturday, 24^th February in Dubai at a hotel in Jumeriah in a bathtub of her room because of accidental drowning at around 11 to 11:30 p.m. She was 54.

I am copiously unfortunate that I could not talk to her. Many a time I thought of speaking to Sridevi, but every time I postponed the idea to some other day due to various reasons. I never ever thought that she would leave us so early, and now today I regret a lot. Being a Bollywood Analyst and journalist, I often speak to Bollywood celebrities and the late veteran actress was surely on my list, but since I was unfortunate I could not join the bandwagon of those who got the golden opportunity of meeting and having conversation with her.  Since the day she passed away, the glimpses of her widely popular movies such as Chandani, Lamhe, Nagina, etc have been popping up on my mind’s surface.

Apart from her romantic and dramatic performances, the naughtiness and comedy of the actress always stole the hearts of her fans in the world. Many tried to copy her style and still a number of renowned actresses try to be her clone in comedy but fail badly since the comedy timing and uniqueness which were her trademarks will always remain to her. Watch Mr. India and Chaalbaaz, if you want to enjoy the comedy packed with naughtiness. Play Chandani and Lamhe if you like watching her enacting romantic roles. In order to enjoy with her true dramatic gigs, do watch Sadma, Gumrah, Nagina, English Vinglish and Mom. Devi acted in more than 300 movies in her film career. She not only acted in Hindi movies, but also did Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada movies. Devi was the recipient of 5 Filmfare awards and she was also conferred with India’s highest award ‘Padma Shri’ in 2013. She delivered her last performance in Mom released in 2017 in which Pakistani actors Adnan Sidiqqui and Sajjal also starred in pivotal roles. Sridevi was roped as a guest appearance in Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt’s upcoming movie ‘Zero’ to be released this year on Christmas. Thus her fans will have the opportunity to watch her once again on big screen this year.

During 80s era and early 90s, the veteran actress was the highest paid Bollywood female star. She was born as Shree Amma Yanger on 13^th August 1963 and began acting very early in her life at the age of 4 making her cinematic debut with a Tamil film ‘Kandan Karunai’. 1983’s Hindi movie ‘Himmatwala’ opposite that time’s dancing sensation Jateendra endowed her with big thumps up from the audiences. From then on, Sridevi did not look back in her career. Initially she was not proficient in Hindi and it is said that Rekha used to dub her dialogues for movies. Soon she developed her Hindi capability and started dubbing by her own.

Sridevi gave Hindi songs a novelty by adding innovative choreography to them. Her dancing moves in the songs made them timeless. Pick any of her numbers, you will get mesmerized by her pirouetting. Late Yash Chopra, one of the finest filmmakers of Hindi filmdom, picturized plenty of optimum songs on the most beautiful actress. Yash was famous for getting clad her heroines in chiffon sarees and Sridevi was one of them. Just remember ‘Tere Mere Honton Pay’ song from the movie Chandani picturized in the eye-candy locales of Switzerland. Sridevi was dressed to impress in various chiffon sarees in the song.

With the great – inimitable and the cuckoo of singing Lata Ji, Sridevi performed on many of the hit tracks, which are still young and inject soothing and silken pleasures in the ears and ofcourse make a spongy-eye pleasing viewing as well. The combo churned out the songs like ‘Mere Hathon Mein No No Churiyan Hain’, ‘Aa Meri Jaan Mein Tujh Mein Apni Jaan’, ‘Tu Mujhe Kabool’, ‘Mein Teri Dushman’, ‘Kabhi Mein Kahoon’ and the list goes on and on. These are simply spellbinding and mellifluous.

Devi left Bollywood in 1997 after her marriage in 1996 to Bollywood filmmaker Boney Kapoor, who is the brother of veteran actor Anil Kapoor. She returned to cinema after a long hiatus of 15 years in 2012 when she dolled up the movie ‘English Vinglish’ in which her character was highly praised by the critics and the audiences. The movie did handsomely well at the box office.

Before tying the knot with Boney Kapoor, Sridevi secretly married to famous yesteryear’s actor Mithun Chakraborty in 1988. Mithun was already married to actress Yogeeta Bali. The marriage could not last long and after three years it ended up in 1988. Boney too was married to famous socialite Mona Kapoor by the time Sridevi started dating him. But after the divorce between the couple, Devi walked down the aisle with the producer (Boney Kapoor), who had a son Arjun Kapoor from his previous wife Mona. Arjun is today a famous Bollywood actor. From Boney, Sridevi produced two daughters – Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor. Former is making her Bollywood debut in Karan Johar’s movie ‘Dhadak’ opposite Shahid Kapoor’s younger brother Ishaan Khattar.

Sridevi has left her mark behind – the spotlight will always be on her with her unforgettable movies and songs. Hats off to you dear Sridevi, you have given us uncountable memories through your cinematic journey to remember you.  Will Bollywood be able to breathe after the demise of superstar Sridevi? Well, nothing stops with the departure of anybody – it is a universal truth, but yes her absence will always be felt.