Sridevi’s memorable performances

A shy person in real-life, Sridevi knew how to woo the camera. She proved her mettle at the box office time and again. Often hailed the first female superstar, she had could be a child-woman, a seductress, or a comedienne with equal ease and finesse. While the actress has worked for around five decades and has many award-winning performances to her credit, here are the ones that had us spellbound...

Sadma 1983

As a child-woman, Sridevi played Nehalata who regresses to childhood after suffering a head injury in a car crash. She ends up in a brothel from where she is rescued by Somu (Kamal Haasan), a school teacher. He looks after her and falls in love with her. On recovering, however, she doesn’t remember him. The movie tugged at the audience’s heart-string. Its impossible to not feel overwhelmed at the climax. Sri matched acting chops with Kamal and proved her might.

Nagina 1986

This film saw Sridevi play an ichhadhari naagin (a shapeshifter of sorts). The concept could have been a bit far-fetched and difficult to execute, but the talented actress effortlessly carried the film on her shoulders. The white outfit and the blue lenses saw her transform into a snake who tried to outwit villain Amrish Puri. The song Main Teri Dushman became a rage, and there was no stopping the actress after this.

Mr India 1987

India’s first superhero, Mr India, fell in love with the fiery journalist Seema Soni, who wasn’t very fond of kids. While the movie was the biggest grosser of the year, Sridevi did the unthinkable and romanced the invisible Mr India in the sensual Kate Nahin Kat Te. While that number saw her as a seductive diva, Hawa Hawaii brought out the playful side of the versatile actor. This proved to be a great showcase for her talent.

Chandni 1989

Sridevi was the perfect embodiment of the chiffon-clad Yash Chopra heroine. She had earlier looked striking in Feroz Khan’s Jaanbaaz in which she had a small role. With Chandni, she cast her spell not just on the two heroes of the film — Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna — but every man in the cinema hall.

Chaalbaaz 1989

In the same year, that the actress was at her alluring best in Chandni, came Chaalbaaz. This tale of twins saw Sridevi play the docile Anju and the feisty Manju. Her brilliant comic timing shone through in this caper, which was a laugh riot. Her position as a superstar was further cemented by this movie, which depended solely on her.

Lamhe 1991

A mature love story, Sridevi had said that she knew when the film was being shot itself that the audience might not accept the relationship of man with his former love’s daughter. The movie was considered way ahead of its time. The actress danced to Morni Baaga Ma, which continues to be a rage.

Laadla 1994

If Sridevi could be seductive and naughty, she could also be mean. She proved that she was always up for a challenge when she took on the role of the egoistic mill-owner, Sheetal, who marries one of her workers just to teach him a lesson. Sridevi made bad look extremely good here. Her signature line ‘Understand, you better understand’, became a popular catchphrase.

Judaai 1997

This was Sridevi’s last film before she decided to take a 25-year long break from showbiz. Playing a greedy wife, who forces her husband to marry an heiress, the actress seemed to be having a great time essaying a role with grey shades.

English Vinglish 2012

Playing the docile homemaker, Shashi Godbole, who is mocked by her husband and daughter for her poor English, Sridevi had you rooting for her all the way in her attempt to master the language. Picking just the right subject for her comeback film, the actress showed that a good actor never forgets his/her skills.

Mom 2017

It took Sridevi another five years to return to the silver screen after her comeback film English Vinglish. Sridevi was seen extracting revenge from those who raped her on-screen beti. Her final act had an amazing finesse, which got her nomination and trophies at various awards. Just when it seemed like she would be seen more often on the screen, her untimely death has left the industry bereft of a natural performer.