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The loss of Sridevi had (has*) the world reeling. Like a pillar came crashing down. Whether you identified as a fan or not, her brilliance was inescapable. We always knew she was iconic, but after her death it truly came to surface just how colossal her impact was. She was a cornerstone of cinema throughout the country, a true Pan-Indian superstar - a rare feat. Through the garish, misogynistic '80s and '90s, she quietly built herself a throne adding hit after hit to her crown. She turned rain, choodiyaan, mountains, braids, lip gloss, white clothes, fog, sarees and big brown eyes into poetry. She wasn't part of an era, she trailblazed an era. With her death that era comes to a heartbreaking close.
She didn't just play characters, she became them. Something about her artistry compelled us to suspend reality and embrace them. They entered our lives, grew with us and nestled into our hearts. She gifted us Reshmi's endearing antics (Sadma), Manju's hilarious but fierce independence (Chaalbaaz), Pooja's vivacious personality (Lamhe), Chandni's captivating charm (Chandni) and so so many more. And just as those women began to collect dust, she gave us Shashi's anxious entrepreneurial spirit (English Vinglish) and Devki's fiery conviction (Mom) reminding us of her longstanding place in our hearts.
It's mind boggling that such a quiet, introverted woman had the ability to deliver these explosive, colorful characters. I read somewhere that Saroj Khan called her "light bulb" because she could switch on, dazzle and shut right off as soon as the job was done. The editor of Filmfare once wrote, "If acting is magic without props, then Sridevi has mastered the art." It's like we were unknowingly chasing an enigma, patiently waiting for her to crack and share with us the method to her madness. True to her craft, she never broke character leaving our queries forever unanswered.
It is so ironic that she kept her life so guarded while her death was anything but. I've been mulling over why this seems to feel personal almost universally. I think it's because we never realized just how deeply we treasured the magic she so seamlessly weaved into our lives for decades. There was so much of her left to celebrate.
In honor of celebrating, below is a slew of super random scenes I've always harbored in my little Bollywood heart. (I had no idea I cherished so many)
*Disclaimer* This isn't a list of her iconic scenes, but just random things about her that I appreciate and want to share with you.
- The way she jumps onto the couch during the Medley in Lamhe because I am almost positive that was improvised.
- The transgression from innocent to sensual in the span of one song. Honestly the entire song is a huge treat. I may or may not reenact it while getting ready...
- This one I honestly don't even know how to articulate. It's the beautiful comedic timing in the way she says "duja sandesa" during Main Sasural Nahin Jaaongi. It cracks me up. Again, she's hilarious the entire song.
- Okay obviously ALL of Chaalbaaz is good but the reason I'm featuring this scene is because it's completely improvised on her part, plus this badass line "Main to sirf ek aurat hoon jo mardon ki banayi is duniya main apne shart se jeena chaahti hoon." ::Tutu tuwaaa:: Watch the scene here.
- The way she flutters down the stairs to the flute in Mohe Chhedo Na. Love how she earnestly emotes throughout the entire song to no physical person.
- Okay, the entire song of "Gadbad Hogayi" is a trip (appropriately so). But what I love love love is how a very clearly trained Sridevi abandons everything and executes bharatnatyam exactly how the Madonna loving Manju would.
- I am pretty sure she didn't blink at any point in Laadla. "Understand? *snap* You better understand."
- This sequence of going from comically angry to "ugh, you cute" in Judaai. It only works if you watch with the music. Watch the scene below.
- Of course every scene in Sadma, but the one I always remember I can't post because it's too spoiler-y (Shame on you if you haven't seen it. Full film here) So instead, just marvel at this juxtaposition:
- Honorable mention (I can't track the video down) - when she shows up as Hawa Hawai and casually eats fruit from her hat.
- It honestly feels like a grave disservice to not showcase her precocious skills from her early years. Here are just a few I've stumbled across, 7ish year old Sri, 8ish year old Sri and 10ish year old Sri. (Also a grave disservice not to highlight her contributions to films in the South, which is supposed to be her best work) No wonder she made acting look like child's play. It literally was for her.
Seeing the outpour of tributes has given me a rare sense of community in an otherwise polarized world (I know that's dramatic, but it's true).
The most powerful one, for me, is this medley of her songs played on a local train. "Tu na jaa mere baadshah" is heart wrenching.
So last night in the crowded Borivali local, Prakash with his hand-made Sarangi started playing 'Tere mere honthon par'. Soon many of us in the bogey realised he's giving a medley-tribute to #Sridevi. Goosebumps followed. pic.twitter.com/qJr2HTgaWF— वरुण (@varungrover) March 1, 2018
via @VarunGrover
A few more:
Goodbye my childhood love. I fell in love instantly when I saw you on my Onida, singing Hawa Hawai.There can never be someone as beautiful and funny at the same time. Rest in peace my big eyed angel. #Sridevi @SrideviBKapoor pic.twitter.com/oHpyhplXAh— Prasad Bhat (@PrasadPBhat) February 26, 2018
via @PrasadPBhat
Goodbye, Sridevi. Moonlit nights are a little bit brighter now. Thanks for lighting up our lives.
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