August 13 marks a special day for fans of a true legend. It’s the 62nd birth anniversary of the late actress Sridevi. Born on August 13, 1963, in the quiet village of Meenampatti, Tamil Nadu, her journey was anything but ordinary. She was known by many names: “Hawa Hawai,” “Chandni,” and even “Lady Superstar.” Some artists leave a mark that grows stronger with time. Sridevi was certainly one of them. Her acting, beauty, and unique personality still capture the hearts of movie lovers everywhere.
A Star Born Early
Most four-year-olds are just starting school. Sridevi, however, was already facing the camera. Her first acting job was in the Tamil film ‘Kandhan Karunai’ as a child artist. That first glimpse of her talent hinted at the big star she would become. After finding success in Tamil cinema, Sridevi stepped into Bollywood at just nine years old with the film ‘Rani Mera Naam’. Her grip on acting was so strong from childhood. She truly made every character her own. This remarkable talent for adapting to roles would continue throughout her career.
She even played a mother’s role at a surprisingly young age. At 13, Sridevi took on the part of Rajinikanth’s stepmother in the film ‘Moondru Mudichu’. This was a challenging role, needing the maturity of an older woman. But Sridevi performed it with such seriousness. Audiences completely forgot her actual age.
The Reign of a Superstar
By 1979, Sridevi had established herself as a lead actress in Hindi cinema with ‘Solva Sawan’. But her real breakout came in 1983 with ‘Himmatwala’. Her dance moves and dialogue delivery in that film captivated everyone. The 80s and 90s then belonged to Sridevi. Her presence alone often guaranteed a film would be a hit. Filmmakers relied on her popularity to make their movies successful.
Sridevi wasn’t just loved by the public. The film industry also gave her special recognition. Back then, male actors were almost always the main focus of films. Sridevi changed that idea entirely. In many of her movies, the whole story revolved around her character. She became a female star bigger than the male leads.
Breaking another barrier, Sridevi became the first actress to earn 1 crore rupees for a single film. This was a huge deal in the 80s and 90s, when female actors typically made less than their male counterparts. This achievement showed just how strong her star power and influence were.
Beyond Language Barriers
Sridevi’s talent wasn’t limited to Hindi films. She also worked in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada movies. Her popularity and critical praise were remarkable in every language. She was among the few actresses who achieved similar fame across different regions. This made her a truly pan-India icon.
Throughout her career, Sridevi acted in nearly 300 films. Her roles in movies like ‘Chandni’, ‘Lamhe’, ‘Nagina’, ‘Chaalbaaz’, ‘Sadma’, ‘Mr. India’, ‘Khuda Gawah’, and ‘Judaai’ are still remembered today. Her double role in ‘Chaalbaaz’ was memorable. In ‘Sadma’, her innocent portrayal deeply moved audiences.
For her powerful acting, Sridevi received many respected awards. The Indian government honored her with the Padma Shri in 2013. She also won a National Film Award posthumously for her work in the film ‘Mom’. Sridevi earned several Filmfare awards in various languages and categories. These included honors for her performances in ‘Chaalbaaz’ and ‘Lamhe’. She also received state-level awards for her great performances in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam cinema. In her later years, films like ‘English Vinglish’ showed her talent to new generations. For this, she also gained modern honors like Stardust Awards.
Life in the Limelight
Sridevi’s personal life also often made headlines. In 1996, she married producer Boney Kapoor. This marriage caused a lot of talk at the time, as Boney was already married. After her marriage, Sridevi took a break from films. She stayed away for some time. But when she returned, it was with a bang. Before marrying Boney, her name was linked to actors like Mithun Chakraborty and Jeetendra.
After having her two daughters, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor, the actress paused her acting career. Then, in 2017, Sridevi made a powerful return to cinema with the film ‘Mom’. In this movie, she played a mother ready to do anything for her daughter’s justice. For this role, she received a National Award after her passing. Her very last film was ‘Zero’, where she had a small guest appearance. This film was released after her death. Audiences remembered her fondly after seeing her brief appearance.
An Unforgettable Farewell
February 24, 2018, brought sad news to the cinema world. Sridevi passed away in Dubai due to accidental drowning in a bathtub during a family event. The entire country was stunned by the news. Her sudden passing deeply saddened not only her family but also millions of fans.
Sridevi may no longer be with us physically. But her work, her style, and her memories will forever stay alive. She was an actress who, through hard work, talent, and dedication, raised the bar for cinema. As we mark her 62nd birthday today, it’s a day to remember her films. More importantly, it reminds us that true talent knows no boundaries.