Venkat Raman
Auckland, February 25, 2018
Actress Sridevi, who became rich and famous, firstly as a Tamil and later as Hindi film actress, passed away in Dubai last night (Saturday, February 24, 2018).
According to media reports, she died of cardiac arrest, but details are not yet available.
It is understood that her husband Boney Kapoor and their daughter Kushi was by her side when the end came to the famous actress.
Sridevi was in Dubai to attend the wedding of Mohit Marwah, star of ‘Fungly,’ and the upcoming film, ‘Hate Story 4.’
She was 54 years old and left behind her husband and two daughters Jhanvi and Kushi.
Early Years
Born in Sivakaasi, a town in Tamil Nadu to a Malayali father Ayyappan and Telugu Mother Rajeswari, she was christened Shree Amma Yanger- Sridevi was her Screen name.
Starting her film career as a child artiste, Sridevi earned fame as ‘Little Murugan’ in ‘Thunaivan,’ a Tamil devotional film released in 1971. Thereafter, she acted with Kamala Hasan, Rajinikanth and other top heroes, turning out blockbusters.
Brilliant Career
Among her most successful films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam were Moondru Mudichu (1976), 16 Vayathinile (1977), Sigappu Rojakkal (1978), Varumayin Niram
Sivappu (1980), Meendum Kokila (1981), Premabhishekam (1981), Moondram Pirai (1982), Aakhari Poratam (1988), Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari (1990) and Kshana Kshanam (1991).
Sridevi was Tamil Nadu’s gift to the Hindi film industry.
She won the hearts of millions of fans all over the world for her stunning performances in Solva Sawan (1978) Himmatwala (1983), Mawaali (1983), Tohfa (1984), Naya Kadam (1984), Maqsad (1984), Masterji (1985), Nazrana (1987), Mr India (1987), Waqt Ki Awaz (1988) and Chandni (1989).
Critical Acclaim
She also received critical acclaim for commercially successful movies such as Sadma (1983), Nagina (1986), ChaalBaaz (1989), Lamhe (1991), Khuda Gawah (1992), Gumrah (1993), Laadla (1994) and Judaai (1997).
She continued winning accolades in her second innings with films like ‘English Vinglish.’
She was last seen in ‘MOM,’ released in 2017.
Sridevi has won five Filmfare Awards and has been nominated ten times.
The Indian government awarded her the title of ‘Padmashri,’ a high civilian honour in 2013.
Her daughter Jhanvi is set to make her Bollywood debut this year with Karan Johar’s directorial ‘Dhadak.’
Down-to-Earth
Sridevi was one of the friendliest film stars, known for her amicable manners and respect for even ordinary workers on the sets. This Reporter has had occasions to interview her on many occasions, especially during her visits to the Kingdom of Bahrain in the 1990s.
At one such interview, she said, “I am a simple person. I enjoy good things in life but feel for the less fortunate. I would like to have a good husband and children.”
She fulfilled her dreams but would be sorely missed by her family, people in the industry and millions of fans worldwide.
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Photo Caption:
Sridevi- Actress of Excellence
(File Photo)
