Born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan on August 13, 1963, Sridevi adopted her stage name after beginning her film career. Over the span of five decades and more than 300 films, Sridevi established herself as one of the most prominent actresses in Indian cinema, achieving widespread acclaim in both comedy and drama genres. By the late 1990s, she was ranked as the highest-paid female actor in the Indian film industry.

Sridevi Turned Down Spielberg's 'Jurassic Park'

Remarkably, Sridevi once declined a role in Steven Spielberg's iconic Hollywood film, Jurassic Park. According to reports, she refused the offer because she felt the role did not provide enough scope to showcase her acting talents.

A Quiet and Childlike Persona Off-Camera

Sridevi shared a close bond with superstar Rajinikanth, having acted together in numerous films. Rajinikanth described her as a quiet, almost childlike person behind the scenes, who transformed into an electrifying presence in front of the camera. "She was always a quiet, childlike person behind the camera. But when the camera started rolling, she would turn into a fire—like electric current. That’s how she performed. She never had a fallout with anyone on set. I was also amazed by her success in Bollywood without knowing a single word of Hindi. She was a born actress," Rajinikanth remarked.

A Deep Bond with Rajinikanth

Sridevi was also deeply fond of Rajinikanth. During the filming of Rana, when Rajinikanth fell seriously ill, Sridevi was gravely concerned. She made a vow to Shirdi Sai Baba and kept a week-long fast, praying for his recovery. Her prayers took her to the Sai Baba temple in Pune, where she sought divine intervention for her dear friend.

A Legendary Comeback

After an eight-year hiatus from films, Sridevi made a triumphant return with Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish in 2012. As the wife of veteran director Boney Kapoor, Sridevi garnered numerous accolades throughout her illustrious career, including a National Film Award, Nandi Award, Tamil Nadu State Film Award, Kerala State Film Award, three Filmfare Awards, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and three Filmfare Awards South. In 2013, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award.

Tragically, on February 24, 2018, Sridevi was found dead after accidentally drowning in the bathtub of her guest room in a hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Her legacy, however, continues to inspire generations.

Source : IndianExpress , CNBCtv