The last Female Superstars in Bollywood. (Part 1)

There was a time when Sridevi and Madhuri were the crowd pullers in Bollywood. Both Madhuri and Sri had their fair share of ups and downs. But there's no denying they were "complete actresses" by complete I mean they could dance like a dream, could act and emote, and yes looked no less than any Beauty Queen.

This post is a look at the Top 3 high's and low's in their respective careers. By lows I don't mean they were bad in these movie all I mean is these low's affected their standing at the box office.

Sridevi -

Top Highs -

1. Chaalbaaz - Chaalbaaz come's first in Sridevi's top simply because when it released Sridevi was praised even the most difficult to please crtitics. It was an performance par excellence. An obvious Remake of Seeta and Geeta. Sridevi played the victimized sister with such dedication that audience couldn't help sympathize with her pain and her comic timing as the street smart twin was equally pleasing and cute. P.S. - She won the best Filmfare award that year she was also nominated for Chandni that year.

2. Nagina - Who can forget the iconic "Main teri Dushman" dance in the finale. This one definitely is the most famous Bollywood "Snake film" till date. Though the direction is bad and even the story line at times is silly still the movie is immensely watchable thanks to Sridevi.

3. Laadla - Her charecter mouthing "Understand, You better understand" was so famous back then. Sridevi's character was that of a arrogant, snobbish, career oriented woman Sheetal Jaitley she got a lot of critical acclaim for the movie but lost her Filmfare to Madhuri who was nominated for both Anjaam and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. The only problem I had with the movie was the climax

Top Low's

1. Chandramukhi - This was a bad fantasy movie. Sridevi too wasn't in top form then it was the beginning of her fading career. Honestly Salman - Sridevi Pairing didn't quite gell well. The movie was an Out and out disaster at the box office.

2. Army - What on god's name was that? In this movie Sridevi tried to play the wounded tigress on prowl. The script, the music, the direction everything was outdated and to top it all Sridevi had gained a lot of weight too. Nothing could help this movie from sinking at the BO.

3. Mr. Bechara - This movie was the final nail in the coffin, Sridevi's all time low. It was a fairly entertaining movie but due to lack of interest by the audience, and mediocre music the movie unfortunately went unnoticed.

What other Celebs have to say about her -

Shahrukh Khan - I adore Sridevi, But I will not see her having a huge pimpile on her nose. Youre robbing my fantasy then. (Filmfare, Jan, 2000).

Aishwarya Rai - Sridevi has lot of class, even today she has maintained herself well. (www.naradonline.com).

Anil Kapoor - So who's his favorite heroine? "From Rani to Sameera Reddy to Kajol, Aishwarya, all new heroines are very professional. But it was Sridevi who simply lit up the screen with her presence." So would Anil consider working opposite his real life bhabhi ? "Why not, if Sridevi's okay with it. One has to admit that our pairing was excellent together." (The Times of India, Dec, 2004).

Karishma Kapoor - A good actress will be good even in a small role or a bad movie and you can see that in people like Sridevi, Kajol, Madhuri Dixit and hopefully me.

Madhuri Dixit - I hope im not sounding presumptuous or vain. but I think like Sridevi, I was another heroine who could break the barriers between the classes and the masses. (Filmfare, July, 1997).

Yash Chopra - She is one of the finest actresses, a tremendous dancer and a pucca professional. I had tried to present her differently in Chandni - in white and with very little jewellery. Even in Lamhe, she was so striking in the double role of a woman from a Rajashani backdrop and her boisterous daughter. I am asked why I cast Juhi instead of Sri in Darr. That's because the role wouldn't have suited Sri - the girl had to look frightened and weak. Darr was a hero-oriented subject. I'm told that I have given Juhi the Sridevi look. I don't quite agree. I gave Juhi the Chandni look, the look of a North Indian girl. Will I work with Sridevi in the future? I admire her... so why shouldn't!? But where will I find a suitable subject for her? (Filmfare, April, 1994)
Sridevi in Mr. BecharaSridevi in LaadlaSalman ad Sridevi In ChandramukhiShahrukh and Sridevi in ArmySridevi in NaginaSridevi In Chalbaaz