Biography
Sridevi Kapoor (born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan; 13 August 1963 – 24 February 2018), known simply as Sridevi, was an Indian actress famous for her work in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada films. She was born in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, and started her acting career as a child. Sridevi became the first notable female superstar of Indian cinema. Her career lasted over fifty years, during which she appeared in over 300 films, becoming one of the top performers in Indian entertainment.
She began her career as a child artist at age four in the 1967 Tamil movie Kandhan Karunai and moved into lead roles with the film Thunaivan in 1969. Her first role as an adult came in 1976 with the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu when she was thirteen. In the late 1970s and 1980s, she excelled in South Indian cinema with standout films like 16 Vayathinile (1977), Sigappu Rojakkal (1978), Varumayin Niram Sivappu (1980), and Moondram Pirai (1982). Her talent for playing a range of complex roles made her a top actress in regional cinema.
Sridevi moved to Hindi films starting with Solva Sawan (1979), gaining widespread fame with Himmatwala (1983). She went on to score hits with movies such as Mr. India (1987), Chandni (1989), and Lamhe (1991), known for her ability to take on various roles and her strong screen presence. After a fifteen-year break from acting following her marriage to producer Boney Kapoor, she returned with English Vinglish (2012), marking a successful comeback and showing she still held great appeal for audiences.
Over her career, Sridevi received many awards, including the Padma Shri in 2013, three Filmfare Awards for Best Actress, and other regional film awards. She was known for her detailed approach to roles, immersing herself in characters from comedy to drama to action. Her performances were known for expressive acting, impressive dancing, and conveying emotions without words. Sridevi passed away on 24 February 2018 in Dubai, leaving a legacy as one of Indian cinema's most celebrated talents.
Before Fame
Born into a Tamil family in Sivakasi, Sridevi began her film career at a very young age when director M. A. Thirumugam cast her in Kandhan Karunai. Her early start in cinema happened during a time when South Indian film industries were growing rapidly, and regional cinema was becoming more popular. The 1960s and 1970s were a time of artistic change in Indian films, with directors trying out new storytelling styles and star systems evolving in different language markets.
Her rise to fame was influenced by the growing appeal of regional cinema and the need for actors who could work across various film industries. During this time, the Indian film industry was becoming more connected, with actors often switching between regional and national markets. Sridevi's ability to speak multiple languages and her flexibility allowed her to take full advantage of these industry changes, helping her build a career that crossed language and regional lines.
Key Achievements
- First actress to be called the 'Female Superstar of Indian Cinema'
- Starred in over 300 films across five different Indian language cinemas
- Received Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honor, in 2013
- Won Filmfare Awards across multiple language categories including Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu
- Successfully transitioned from child artist to leading lady to character actress spanning five decades
Did You Know?
- 01.She was initially offered the role of Seema in the cult classic Mr. India (1987) but chose to play the female lead Megha instead
- 02.Sridevi learned Hindi phonetically for her early Bollywood films as she was not fluent in the language initially
- 03.She was posthumously honored at the 71st Cannes Film Festival in 2018, where her film Mom was screened
- 04.English Vinglish (2012) marked her return to cinema after a 15-year break and was her own production venture
- 05.She turned down several major Hollywood offers during the peak of her career in the 1980s and 1990s
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Padma Shri in arts | 2013 | — |
| Stardust Award for Best Drama Actress | 2013 | — |
| Filmfare Award for Best Actress | 1990 | — |
| Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist | 1971 | — |
| Filmfare Award for Best Actress | 1992 | — |
| Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil | 1982 | — |
| Nandi Award for Best Actress | 1991 | — |
| Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu | 1992 | — |
| Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | — | — |