Sridevi paved a path to success that few could match. Over her 50-year career, she broke barriers in Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, and other South Indian industries, starring in over 300 films and earning the title of India’s beloved ‘First Female Superstar’. Known for choosing distinctive roles, Sridevi’s legacy continues to shine even in her absence. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to captivate audiences remain unmatched. As we remember the most iconic actress of Indian cinema today on Sridevi’s birth anniversary, we honour her unwavering commitment to her work and her relentless drive to showcase her talent in unique ways.
One fascinating anecdote from her illustrious career involves her interactions with the legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra. After delivering a superhit with him in 1989’s Chandni, Sridevi was offered the role that eventually went to Juhi Chawla in the film Darr. The film also starred Sunny Deol, with Shah Rukh Khan playing the antagonist in what became a breakthrough role for him, which transformed the portrayal of villains in Indian cinema. However, Sridevi had one significant condition for accepting the role—she wanted to play Shah Rukh Khan’s character, but from a woman’s perspective!
Sridevi’s bold request revealed her sharp instinct for powerful roles. She expressed her desire to take on the challenge of portraying an obsessive lover, pushing boundaries in a way that was unheard of for a female actress in the early 1990s. She reportedly told Yash Chopra, “If I’m playing Shah Rukh Khan’s role, then of course, I would have loved to do it. The character Juhi played was new for her and so it was good for her. But for me, it was something I had done many times before”.
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But what if Sridevi had really taken on the anti-hero role in Darr, it would have been a groundbreaking moment, challenging the traditional dynamics of female roles in Indian cinema. Imagine Sridevi, the superstar, as a woman driven to madness by love, willing to go to any lengths to possess it. Such a role was revolutionary at the time and might have been deemed too risky, which could be why Yash Chopra ultimately turned down her condition.
Like Rahul’s (SRK) famous “Ka-ka-ka-Kiran” call, it would have been a different story if Sridevi had played the role. While Sridevi’s fans would have been thrilled to watch her in Darr, it’s hard to imagine the different reactions this might have sparked. Though it didn’t happen, one thing is certain: Sridevi would have delivered a stellar performance, proving once again that nothing was impossible for her and no doubt, people loved her in every role she took on.
As we celebrate Sridevi’s birth anniversary, we remember her for her iconic roles in Nagina, Chandni, Judaai, Mr India, Mom, English Vinglish, Gumrah and many more. She truly was a trailblazer, proving time and again that there was nothing she couldn’t achieve on screen.
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