Sridevi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sridevi
Sridevi in 2014
Born	Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan (1963-08-13)13 August 1963 Meenampatti, Madras State, India (present-day Tamil Nadu)
Died	24 February 2018(2018-02-24) (aged 54) Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1967–1997 2004–2005 2012–2018
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Spouse(s)	Boney Kapoor ​ (m. 1996)​
Children	2 (including Janhvi Kapoor)
Relatives	Sanjay Ramaswamy (brother-in-law) Anil Kapoor (brother-in-law) K. Ramasamy (uncle)
Family	Surinder Kapoor family and Kapoor family
Honours	Padma Shri (2013)

Shree Amma Yanger Ayyappan (born August 13, 1963 – died February 24, 2018), known as Sridevi, was a famous Indian actress. She worked in many films across different languages like Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. People called her the "First Female Superstar" of Indian cinema.

Sridevi won many awards, including the National Film Award and four Filmfare Awards. Her acting career lasted over 50 years. She starred in all kinds of movies, from funny comedies to serious dramas. She was known for being quiet in real life but very strong and expressive on screen. In 2013, she received the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors. A national poll in 2013 also named her 'India's Greatest Actress in 100 Years'.

Sridevi started acting as a child in 1967 at age four. Her first main role as a young adult was in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu (1976). She quickly became a top actress in South Indian Cinema. Later, she became a big star in Hindi films too. She was loved for her roles in movies like Mr. India, Chandni, and ChaalBaaz. After taking a break, she returned with successful films like English Vinglish (2012) and Mom (2017). For Mom, she won the National Film Award for Best Actress after her death.

Sridevi passed away on February 24, 2018, in Dubai. She was married to film producer Boney Kapoor. They had two daughters, including actress Janhvi Kapoor.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Sridevi was born on August 13, 1963, in Meenampatti village in Tamil Nadu, India. Her parents were Ayyapan and Rajeswari. Her father was a lawyer. Her mother was from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Sridevi's first language was Telugu, and she also spoke Tamil very well. She had a sister and two step-brothers.

Sridevi began acting at just four years old in the Tamil movie Kandhan Karunai (1967). She then played young Muruga in Thunaivan. She also acted as a child in Telugu films, winning the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist for Poompatta (1971). Some of her other notable child roles were in Nam Naadu (1969) and Bhakta Kumbara (1974). In 1972, she made her Hindi film debut as a child in Rani Mera Naam.

Becoming a Leading Actress

In 1976, Sridevi got her first main role in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu. She then starred in many films with famous actors like Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. In 1977, she played a young girl caught between two lovers in 16 Vayathinile. She also starred in its Telugu remake, Padaharella Vayasu (1978).

Her other important films included Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) and Varumayin Niram Sivappu (1980). She worked with N. T. Rama Rao in films like Vetagaadu (1979). In Malayalam cinema, she starred in Thulavarsham (1976). In 1981, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil for Meendum Kokila. In 1982, she played a woman with memory loss in Moondram Pirai, winning the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress. She acted with Kamal Haasan in 27 films.

Sridevi's notable Telugu films include Kshana Kshanam (1991), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu. She acted with many Telugu stars, including Krishna and Chiranjeevi.

Rise to Bollywood Stardom

Sridevi's first main role in Hindi films was in Solva Sawan (1979). Four years later, she starred in Himmatwala (1983) with Jeetendra. This film was a big hit and made her a star in Bollywood. Her dance in "Nainon Mein Sapna" became very popular. She followed this with Tohfa (1984), which was the highest-grossing Hindi film that year.

However, it was Sadma (1983) that brought her great critical praise. In this film, she played a young woman with amnesia. Critics called her performance "a milestone". This role earned her her first Filmfare nomination for Best Actress.

In 1986, Sridevi starred in the fantasy film Nagina, where she played a shape-shifting snake woman. This film was a huge success. Her dance number "Main Teri Dushman" is still considered one of the best snake dances in Bollywood. She also had hits with Karma and Janbaaz (1986).

Superstardom and Later Films

After Nagina, Sridevi starred in the science fiction film Mr. India (1987) with Anil Kapoor. This film was a big hit and is considered iconic. Sridevi's funny imitation of Charlie Chaplin and her dance in "Hawaa Hawaai" were very popular. Many said she stole the show in the film.

In 1989, Sridevi starred in Yash Chopra's romantic film Chandni. This film was a huge success and confirmed her status as a top female star. Her dance to "Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Choodiyaan" was also very popular.

The same year, she played a double role in ChaalBaaz, as twin sisters. Her performance was highly praised for its comedy and earned her a Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Her rain dance in "Na Jaane Kahaan Se Aayi Hai" became a classic.

In 1991, Sridevi starred in Lamhe, playing both a mother and her daughter. The film was praised by critics and won her a second Filmfare Award for Best Actress. In 1992, she acted in Khuda Gawah with Amitabh Bachchan, playing a double role as an Afghan warrior and her daughter. This film was also successful.

Sridevi was the highest-paid actress in India from 1985 to 1993. She took a break from acting after her mother's death in 1997. Her last major film before her break was Judaai (1997), where she played a greedy housewife.

Comeback and Final Roles

After a break, Sridevi returned to television in the sitcom Malini Iyer (2004–2005). She also appeared as a judge on a TV show.

In 2012, after 15 years away from films, Sridevi made a big comeback in English Vinglish. She played Shashi Godbole, a housewife who learns English. The film and her performance received great praise from critics. The Times of India called her performance "a masterclass". This film was a huge success and showed that she could still be a leading lady after marriage and a long break.

Sridevi's 300th and final film was Mom (2017), a psychological thriller. Her performance in Mom earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress after her death. Her last on-screen appearance was a small role in the film Zero (2018).

Personal Life

Sridevi was very private about her life. She was often accompanied by her mother or sister to film sets. In 1996, she married producer Boney Kapoor. They had two daughters, Janhvi (born 1997) and Khushi (born 2000). Janhvi Kapoor is now also an actress.

Even though she played strong and lively characters on screen, Sridevi was a very shy and reserved person in real life. She started acting at a very young age and did not have a normal childhood. This made her dislike crowds and noise.

Death and Funeral

On February 24, 2018, Sridevi was found dead in her hotel room in Dubai. She had gone there to attend a family wedding. Her husband, Boney Kapoor, found her. Initially, it was reported as a cardiac arrest. However, investigations by the Dubai Police later stated the cause of death as "accidental drowning".

News of her death was widely reported in India and around the world. Many fans, co-stars, and Bollywood celebrities shared their sadness. Her body was flown back to Mumbai, India, on February 27. Her funeral took place on February 28, with state honors and a gun salute. Her husband performed the final rites. On March 3, her ashes were immersed in the sea off the coast of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

Legacy and Influence

Sridevi is remembered as one of the greatest female stars in Indian cinema. She was praised for her wide range as an actor, especially her comedic skills and dancing. During the 1980s, she was the highest-earning woman in the Indian entertainment industry. For her role in Mr. India (1987), she was paid a very high amount for that time.

In a 2013 national poll, Sridevi was voted "India's Greatest Actress in 100 Years". She was also placed among the top Bollywood actresses of all time by NDTV. Critics called her "one-of-a-kind" and "the undisputed queen of Indian Cinema".

Sridevi was also seen as a fashion icon. She modeled for designers and appeared on the covers of many fashion magazines. She received the 'Ultimate Diva' award in 2015 for her style.

Many actresses, including Juhi Chawla, Karisma Kapoor, Kajol, Priyanka Chopra, and Deepika Padukone, have said that Sridevi inspired them.

In 2018, Sridevi was honored in the In Memoriam section at the 90th Academy Awards ceremony. In 2019, Madame Tussauds Singapore announced a wax statue of Sridevi. The statue shows her famous look from the song "Hawaa Hawaai" from Mr. India.

Awards and Honours

Sridevi won many awards throughout her career.

Film Awards

Civilian Awards

• 2013 – Padma Shri – India's fourth-highest civilian award from the Government of India

President Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Sridevi in 2013.

Special Honours

• 1990 – Smita Patil Memorial Award for her work in Indian Cinema
• 2008 – FICCI "Living Legend in Entertainment Award"
• 2013 – Voted 'India's Greatest Actress of All Time' in a CNN-IBN Poll
• 2013 – President of India 'Medallion of Honour' for her contribution to 100 Years of Indian Cinema
• 2018 – Asian Award for Contribution to Cinema
• 2018 – Titan Reginald F. Lewis Icon Award at the 71st Cannes International Film Festival
• 2019 – ANR National Award for 2018

Images for kids

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  Sridevi with her husband Boney Kapoor in 2011

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  Sridevi at the HT Style Awards in January 2018

See also

In Spanish: Sridevi para niños