Category: Chaalbaaz

Interview: On her Majesty's Secret Service

3/10/2016

This time we thought to bring you an interview Sridevi gave to Showtime magazine in August 1990 from our magazine archieve. It is always nice to read these interviews as they give an insight of Sri's huge popularity back then. Of course the title of the interview says it all. "On her Majesty's Secret Service". Now give us one actress who had such words written about her? None!

The journalist in the introduction says:
"She is the only heroine today who demands and gets her price and choice of roles. Sitting cosily on the pinnacle of success, After Sridevi wowed audiences with Mr. India, there has been no stopping her. In Nagina, Nigahen, Chandni and Chaalbaaz her sizzling performances on screen consolidated her position as the numero uno actress today"

In this interview Sri talks about her controversy with Amritraj family, films, her sister's marriage and why she is still dissatisfied with her career in Hindi films compared to south films.
You can read the whole interview HERE

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Why is Sridevi the Best Bollywood Dancer?

29/4/2015

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Sridevi's versatility does not stop in her acting and portraying the different characters. It extends to go on to her dances on screen too. We truly believe that Sridevi is the ultimate versatile dancer in Bollywood. Yes, of course there are other good dancers there. But the difference between them and Sridevi is in the versatility and dancing as per the character. That is what makes Sri's dance outshines others. The Queen has different moods for different songs. She is a true actress. Someone who lives her characters and goes into their skins and that include the songs that involves the character too.

There are many many examples. Last can be mentioned is Navrai Majhi from English Vinglish. Sri have a small part dancing in the song but it is not her who is dancing. It is Shashi Godbole. She was totally in character.

Today is the international dance day and we have made the below picture which depicts Sridevi in different moods. She has many dances but we have chosen these 9 dances:

1- Bubbly: Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Chudiyan (Chandni): Sridevi in a bubbly mood doing all the dance. Saroj Khan did not want any other girl to dance with her. She said that both she and Yash Chopra wanted the full attention to be on Sridevi. The song is one of the most used in weddings and Sridevi's dance is iconic.

2- Elegant: Tandav (Chandni): Are we exaggerating if we say that there is no more beautiful tandav in the whole history of Indian Cinema than this one? Sridevi in white is so elegant and gorgeous that it really makes this like an unearthly or a dream sequence. It is too good that words are not there to explain. This has to be the most elegantly danced and looked tandav.

3- Venomous: Main Teri Dushman (Ngaina): The Song that shot Saroj Khan's name into fame. Even though Saroj was working since the 1960s but it was because of Sridevi that she got a name. Director Harmesh Malhotra said that this song was a normal song and a normal situation but it was because of Sridevi's performance that it became so famous even today. Here you see Rajni confronts her enemy with her sharp facial expressions.

4- Glamorous: Naino Mein Sapna (Himmatwala): Her glittery costumes, her movements, her beauty all what made this song a big hit. The song is shot very beautifully. Yes there are pans and pots but what stands out here besides the music is Sridevi's dance steps with Jeetendra.

5- Funny: Hawa Hawai (Mr. India): Saying she is just funny is underestimation. Sridevi or precisely Seema here is just too fun in the song. The lyrics is funny but what brings it to life is her facial expressions specially in that gold costume. That particular facial expression where she closes one eye and winks is completely priceless.

6- Rage: Dushman Dil Ka Jo Hai Mere (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja): You want to see rage? then watch this song. Yes grand sets and props but what is more grand is the rage in Sridevi's eyes. The big teary eyes will capture your heart. For us the best moments of this song are when the camera fully focuses on Sridevi's face. The end sequence of the song is magnificent by all means.

7- Sensuous: Har Kisi Ko Nahin Milta (Janbaaz): Sensuous and also Surreal. The song has a catchy beat, an awesome lyrics. but the contribution Sridevi gave to this song is immense. This was to be shot in western clothes but Sri insisted on the sari. She told Feroz Khan that if he did not like it she is ready to reshoot in Western. The cat walk sequence was the first shot. Everyone was so impressed by Sri. Feroz Khan told his cinematographer "She is angel. I want her to fly in the sky" From there the cinematographer added the background skies to the song. Boney Kapoor challenged Shekhar Kapur to represent Sri as sensuous in Mr. India which he did in Kaate Nahin Katte. But we still think that Janbaaz song has more sensuality to it.

8- Folkloric: Morni Baga Ma Bole (Lamhe) Pallavi dancing to the voice of Lata Mangeshkar in Rasjthan's desert. The Yellow blue outfit was such a beauty to look at but it was the saucer eyed Sridevi that you would stare at all the time. The song is such a treat to listen to and watch. It is one of the highlights of the film.

9- Comedian: Na Jane Kahan Se Aayee Hai (Chaalbaaz): Have you ever felt Sridevi resembled those beautiful anime characters? If you never felt so then probably you have not seen this song. Her look, the way she dressed, her big eyes. She is so cute and funny just like those cute anime characters. The portion where she holds her white umbrella and the last part of the song where it says zu zu zu zu zu make you feel that an anime film just became real and that beautiful character came to live!

Sridevi has many more memorable dances but we thought to present the distinctive ones that truly prove that she is the best Bollywood dancer.

Happy International Dance Day guys!

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Heroines Can't do without Sridevi

8/4/2015

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This title once was the cover story of one of the magazines 30 years ago in late 80s. The story was about how other heroines look up to Sridevi's body of work, how they admire her performances, how much they wish that they had similar roles and how every interview of other heroines was incomplete without mentioning the name Sridevi! Her name was always brought up be it by the host or the heroine who was interviewed. She was the standard of perfection. If a heroine was to be evaluated then critics, filmmakers and public too would put her up against Sridevi and evaluate the new girl!! Thats how Sridevi was and the story today is not any different!

Sri is still the one or at least the most actress that gets mentioned when heroines are asked about role model or dream role! None of her rivals or to be precise media made rivals ever get mentioned the way Sridevi does. They cannot compete in that area at all.

Few days ago DnaIndia.com had this article under the title "Celebrities pick the iconic roles they would love to play" and no surprise Sridevi's name was mentioned by two of the actresses. Here what they said:

Sushmita Sen picked: Shashi Godbole (English Vinglish)
"I bow down to Sridevi when I see films like English-Vinglish. She is one of the reasons I become an actress. I would have loved to do something like that."

Alia Bhatt Picked: Anju/Manju (ChaalBaaz), Benazir (Khuda Gawah)
"I am not sure I will be able to do it, but I would live to play Sridevi in Chaalbaaz. I saw the film recently and I was bowled over by her sheer talent. She played both diametrically opposite roles so beautifully. Another film I was very impressed with was Khuda Gawah. I did a horse riding sequence for Shandaar recently and I was so scared, even after I underwent all that training, In Khuda Gawah, she has so many horse-riding sequences and she seems so much at ease. I don't think I can do justice to any of her roles but I would like to reprise her on the big screen."

Wonderful what both of them said about Sri and her performances. Both have also been added to what others say section.

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Interview: On her Majesty's Secret Service

Why is Sridevi the Best Bollywood Dancer?

Heroines Can't do without Sridevi

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