Sri Davi Dream Girl

Shree Amma Yanger Ayyappan (13 August 1963 – 24 February 2018), professionally credited with her stage name Sridevi, was an Indian actress and film producer who worked in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada language films.^[10][11] Cited as the "First Female Superstar" of Indian cinema,^[10][11] she was the recipient of various accolades, including the National Film Award, the Nandi Award, the Tamil Nadu State Film Award, the Kerala State Film Award, four Filmfare Awards, including a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and three Filmfare Awards South.

 Sridevi's career in Indian cinema spanned over 50 years in a range of genres from slapstick comedy to epic dramas. She was known for her reticent and introverted personality, but headstrong and outspoken screen persona, regularly playing strong-willed, sophisticated women.^[13][14] In 2013, Sridevi was honoured with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian honour, for her contribution to the Indian culture through performing arts  She was also voted 'India's Greatest Actress in 100 Years' in a CNN-IBN national poll conducted in 2013 on the occasion of the centenary of Indian cinema.

1976–1986: Leading roles and success

In 1976, Sridevi landed her first leading role in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu directed by K. Balachander.^[35] She followed it with a number of films with Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Sridevi's first release of 1977 was Gaayathri, followed by Kavikkuyil and 16 Vayathinile, where she played the role of a young girl who is caught between her 2 lovers.^[36] She also starred in the movie's Telugu remake Padaharella Vayasu in 1978.^[37] Her subsequent notable films included Bharathi Raja's Sigappu Rojakkal, S. P. Muthuraman's Priya, Karthika Deepam, Johnny, Varumayin Niram Sivappu and Aakali Rajyam.^[38] She acted with N. T. Rama Rao in Vetagaadu, Sardar Papa Rayudu, Bobbili Puli, Justice Chowdhary and Aatagadu.^[37] She acted alongside Sivaji Ganesan in Sandhippu, Kavari Maan and the Sri Lanka-filmed coproduction Pilot Premnath.

Sridevi debuted as child artist in Kannada with Bhakta Kumbara (1974) directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy.^[40] Her other films as a child artist in Kannada included Bala Bharatam and Yashoda Krishna.^[40] She was also a part of Hennu Samsarada Kannu (1975), directed by A.V. Sheshagiri Rao. Sridevi also acted as lead opposite Ambarish in Priya (1978), produced by S. P. Muthuraman.^[40] She entered Malayalam films as a child actor with Kumara Sambhavam in 1969,^[41] followed by I. V. Sasi's Abhinandanam. Her notable Malayalam films as the lead heroine were Thulavarsham, directed by N. Sankaran Nair in 1976, and M. Masthan's Kuttavum Shikshayum, a remake of the Tamil film Pennai Nambungal with Kamal Haasan starring opposite her.

1987–1997: Superstardom, later films and hiatusEdit

Sridevi followed the success of Nagina by playing a goofy crime journalist in the 1987 film Mr. India opposite Anil Kapoor, which was described by Rediff as "one of the most iconic films of its time".^[67] Directed by Shekhar Kapur, it became one of the highest grossing hits of the year and also found a place in Hindustan Times' list of 'Top 10 Patriotic Films of Hindi Cinema'.^[68][69] While the trade famously joked that the film should have been named Ms. India,^{[citation needed]} Rediff also stated that "Sridevi was a complete show-stealer in the film".^[67] Sridevi's imitation of Charlie Chaplin in the film was described by The Times of India as "the most hilarious act she has ever done".^[70] Rediff also featured Sridevi in its list of 'Super 6 Comic Heroines' stating that "her mobile face expressions could give Jim Carrey sleepless nights" and that "her biggest plus point is her ability to be completely uninhibited in front of the camera".

The dance number ''Hawaa Hawaai'', cited by The Times of India as "one of the unforgettable numbers of Sridevi",^[72] also became a popular nickname for the actress.^[73] Besides comedy, Sridevi featured in the video for the song ''Kaate Nahin Kat Te''; Filmfare described Sridevi as "truly a goddess in a blue sari".^[74][75] Rediff also featured the song in its list of 'Top 25 Sari Moments' praising Sridevi's "ability to look erotic even when she's covered from head-to-toe".^[76] Box Office India states that with the success of Mr. India, Sridevi "continued her domination" over her contemporaries Jaya Prada and Meenakshi Sheshadri.^[51]

1989 saw the release of the Yash Chopra's romantic musical saga Chandni, with Sridevi playing the title role. The film emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of 1989.^{[citation needed]} Cited by The Times of India as "one of the most watched films of Indian cinema",^[77] the film also reaffirmed Sridevi's position as the top female star of the 1980s.^[78][79] While she topped the Hindustan Times' list of Yash Chopra's 'Top 5 Heroines',^[80] CNN-IBN also ranked her first on a similar list, saying "Yash Chopra immortalized Sridevi as the perfect Chandni".^[81] India Today and NDTV also included her in such lists, stating that the film established Sridevi "as the nation's sweetheart".^[82][83][84] The Tribune wrote: "Leena Daru scored a winner again when she created the 'Chandni Look' for Sridevi. Every street corner sold the salwar-kameez and dupatta that gave the heroine a refreshingly understated look, rarely seen on the Indian screen",^[85] Sridevi's dance number "Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Choodiyaan" proved also popular with audiences,^[86] and she also lent her voice to the film's popular title-track.