Sridevi was not just an actor; she was an era in herself. Born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan in a small village in Tamil Nadu, she began her career at the tender age of four. This biography traces her unprecedented journey from a child prodigy in South Indian cinema to becoming the undisputed queen of Bollywood in the 80s and 90s. We explore her ability to switch effortlessly between slapstick comedy and heart-wrenching drama, her controversial marriage to producer Boney Kapoor, and her triumphant comeback with English Vinglish. Finally, we address the heartbreaking and sudden end to her life in a Dubai hotel room, a tragedy that left millions of fans seeking answers.| Feature | Details |
| Full Name | Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan |
| Date of Birth | August 13, 1963 |
| Birthplace | Meenampatti, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Date of Death | February 24, 2018 |
| Key Profession | Actress |
| Notable Awards | Padma Shri, National Film Award (Best Actress) |
| Spouse | Boney Kapoor |
| Famous Films | Sadma, Mr. India, Chandni, English Vinglish, Mom |
The Moon Among Stars
The Sridevi biography is a study in contrasts. Off-screen, she was painfully shy, often answering questions with a mere nod or a whisper. On-screen, she was a firecracker, capable of reducing audiences to tears or laughter with a single twitch of her brow. She was the only actress in the history of Indian cinema who could command a higher paycheck than her male co-stars, effectively breaking the glass ceiling long before “feminism” became a buzzword in Bollywood.
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A Child Prodigy in South India
Sridevi’s relationship with the camera began when she was just four years old. She debuted in the Tamil film Kandhan Karunai (1967) playing the young Lord Murugan. Unlike other child stars who fade away, Sridevi matured into a formidable lead actress. By her teens, she was already a veteran, working with legends like Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in classics like 16 Vayathinile and Moondram Pirai. She didn’t just act; she absorbed the craft, mastering multiple languages—Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada—despite her mother tongue being Telugu.
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Conquering Bollywood: The “Hawa Hawai” Phenomenon
Her entry into Hindi cinema was not an instant success, but her re-entry with Himmatwala (1983) changed everything. While critics initially labeled her “Thunder Thighs” for her dance numbers, she silenced them with her performance in Sadma (1983). Playing a woman who regresses to the mental state of a child after a head injury, Sridevi delivered a performance so raw and poignant that it remains a benchmark for acting schools today.
By the late 80s, she was the “Hero” of her films. In Mr. India, her comedic timing as Charlie Chaplin and her sensual prowess in “Kaate Nahin Kat Te” showcased a versatility that terrified her male contemporaries. In Chaalbaaz, she played a double role—a scaredy-cat and a street-smart ruffian—proving she could carry a commercial blockbuster entirely on her own shoulders.
The Queen of Transformation
Sridevi had a chameleon-like ability to transform. In Yash Chopra’s Chandni, she became the epitome of romance, dressed in pristine white, defining the “Yash Raj Heroine” aesthetic for decades. Yet, she could pivot to the snake-woman in Nagina, a role many top actresses rejected, and turn it into a cult classic. Her eyes were her greatest asset; they could convey innocence, seduction, and rage without a single spoken word.
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The Comeback of the Century
After marrying producer Boney Kapoor in 1996, Sridevi took a 15-year sabbatical to raise her daughters, Janhvi and Khushi. Critics whispered that her time was up. She proved them wrong with English Vinglish (2012). Playing Shashi, a quiet housewife mocked for her poor English, Sridevi didn’t just act; she represented millions of Indian mothers. It was a triumphant return that re-established her supremacy without the crutch of glamour.
A Tragic, Mysterious Exit
On February 24, 2018, the world woke up to the shocking news of her death in Dubai, where she was attending a family wedding. Initial reports cited cardiac arrest, but the forensic report later confirmed “accidental drowning” in her hotel bathtub. The suddenness of her departure, much like the characters she played, left the audience with a sense of unfinished business. She was posthumously awarded the National Film Award for her final role in Mom, a fitting tribute to a career that ended on a creative high.
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Quick Comparison: The Eras of Sridevi
| Feature | The “Thunder Thighs” Era (Early 80s) | The “Lady Superstar” Era (Late 80s-90s) | The “Comeback Queen” Era (2012-2018) |
| Primary Focus | Glamour, Dance, Masala Entertainers | Performance, Comedy, Hero-centric roles | Realistic Drama, Social Issues |
| Key Films | Himmatwala, Tohfa, Justice Chaudhury | Chandni, Chaalbaaz, Lamhe | English Vinglish, Mom |
| Public Persona | The elusive sex symbol | The undisputed No. 1 actress | The dignified legend |
Curious Indian: Fast Facts
- The Spelling: She was born “Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan” but was credited as Sridevi. Interestingly, she often spelled her name as “Sreedevi” in her personal signatures.
- Voice Troubles: In her early Hindi films, mostly famously Himmatwala, her voice was dubbed by voice-over artist Naaz because Sridevi was not yet fluent in Hindi. She started dubbing for herself with Chandni.
- Refusing Spielberg: Sridevi was reportedly offered a role in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993) but she refused it because the role was too small and she didn’t want to take a break from Bollywood.
- 103 Degrees Fever: The iconic song “Na Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai” from Chaalbaaz was shot while Sridevi was suffering from a high fever of 103 degrees.
- Younger Step-Mother: She played the role of Rajinikanth’s step-mother in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu (1976) when she was just 13 years old, while Rajinikanth was much older.
Conclusion
The Sridevi biography is more than a list of films; it is a narrative of breaking barriers. She was a pan-Indian star before the term existed, conquering the South and the North with equal dominance. Her death left a void in Indian cinema, but her work remains immortal. Whether as the child-woman in Sadma or the fierce mother in Mom, Sridevi taught us that cinema is not just about watching; it is about feeling. She remains, forever, the Chandni of our hearts.
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If you think you have remembered everything about this topic take this QUIZ
Results
#1. What was Sridevi’s real birth name?
#2. Which film marked Sridevi’s triumphant comeback in 2012 after a 15-year sabbatical?
#3. Sridevi reportedly refused a role in which Steven Spielberg movie because the part was too small?
#4. In her early Hindi films like Himmatwala, who provided the dubbing voice for Sridevi?
#5. Sridevi made her acting debut at age four in the Tamil film Kandhan Karunai playing which deity?
#6. The iconic song “Na Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai” from Chaalbaaz was shot while Sridevi was suffering from:
#7. Sridevi was posthumously awarded the National Film Award for Best Actress for which film?
#8. In the 1983 film Sadma, what kind of character did Sridevi play?
What was the real cause of Sridevi’s death?
The official forensic report by the Dubai Police cited “accidental drowning” in a bathtub following a loss of consciousness as the cause of death. Traces of alcohol were also found in her system.
How many movies did Sridevi act in?
Sridevi acted in over 300 films in a career spanning 5 decades, across Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada languages.
Who are Sridevi’s daughters?
Sridevi has two daughters: Janhvi Kapoor, who is a successful Bollywood actress, and Khushi Kapoor, who has also recently entered the film industry.
Did Sridevi win a National Award?
Yes, she won the National Film Award for Best Actress posthumously in 2018 for her powerful performance in the movie Mom.
Which was Sridevi’s first Hindi movie?
While her first adult lead role was in Solva Sawan (1979), her debut as a child artist in Hindi cinema was in the film Julie (1975).
Read More: https://curiousindian.in/naseeruddin-shah-july-1950-present/
