Actor Profile: Sridevi

Sridevi Kapoor (née Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan; 13 August 1963 – 24 February 2018), known magnanimously as Sridevi, was an Indian actress who worked in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada language films. She is widely cited as the “first female superstar” of Indian cinema and was the recipient of numerous accolades, including a National Film Award and multiple Filmfare Awards.

Early Life and Education

Born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan on 13 August 1963 in Meenampatti, Madras State, India, Sridevi began her acting career as a child artist at the tender age of four in the 1967 Tamil film Kandhan Karunai. Her first role as an on-screen adult came in 1976 at age 13 in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu.

Career Highlights

Sridevi’s career spanned over 50 years, during which she established herself as a leading female star in South Indian Cinema before making her mark in Hindi cinema. Her first starring role in Hindi cinema was in the 1979 drama film Solva Sawan, and she gained wider recognition with the action film Himmatwala (1983). She starred in numerous successful films, including Mawaali (1983), Justice Chaudhury (1983), Tohfa (1984), Mr. India (1987), and Chandni (1989). She received critical acclaim for her performances in films like Sadma (1983), Nagina (1986), ChaalBaaz (1989), and Lamhe (1991).

After a hiatus, she returned to film acting with the comedy-drama English Vinglish (2012) and had her 300th and final film role in the crime thriller Mom (2017), for which she was posthumously awarded the National Film Award for Best Actress. In 2013, she was honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour.

Style and Influence

Sridevi was known for her exceptional acting versatility, captivating screen presence, and iconic dance performances. She was often described as having a reticent and introverted off-screen personality, yet she portrayed headstrong and outspoken characters on-screen, often playing strong-willed women.

Her ability to convey emotions through subtle expressions and her comedic timing were highly praised. Film critic Baradwaj Rangan referred to her acting as a form of “silent film acting” closer to dance or mime which needed no explanation or subtitles, stating, “her face says it all”.

Legacy

Sridevi is widely regarded as one of the most influential actresses in the history of Indian cinema. Her career, spanning five decades and multiple languages, broke barriers for women in the industry. She was a trailblazer who commanded a then-unprecedented salary, making her the highest-paid Indian actress of her time.

Her performances have inspired numerous actors, including Priyanka Chopra, who wrote in Time magazine, “Everyone wanted her and wanted to be like her. She could be childlike, grown-up, funny, serious, beguiling, sexy—she was the ultimate actor… She was my childhood, and one of the big reasons I became an actor.” Sridevi’s legacy continues to influence actresses and filmmakers, and she is celebrated as one of the most iconic and beloved actresses in Indian film history.