Years after her tragic death, Sridevi still lives in our hearts not only as a lovely face but also as a performer who could illuminate the screen with only a look. She wasn’t called the “First Female Superstar” of Indian cinema for nothing. Sridevi accomplished everything from humor to serious drama and romantic parts to strong characters, and she did it all with ease. Here are a few of her most famous performances that still make us shiver every time we go back to them.
🎭 1. Sadma
Sridevi gave one of the most emotionally raw performances ever recorded in Indian cinema in Sadma. Playing a woman with retrograde amnesia who psychologically regresses to a childish stage, she presented innocence, tenderness, and pain with heart-wrenching reality. Even the hardest audience members would weep at the conclusion, when she fails to identify Kamal Haasan’s character. A genuine masterclass in performance.
Mr. India (1987)
This movie was about a reporter called Seema who stole the stage with her spunk, charm, and memorable Hawa Hawai dance sequence; it was not only about invisible heroes. Proving she could carry a commercial blockbuster on her shoulders, Sridevi expertly combined comedy, drama, and glamour. Still among the most cherished funny scenes in Bollywood is her Charlie Chaplin performance in the movie.
Chandni, 1989
Sridevi became the face of romance for a whole generation with Chandni. Wearing beautiful white sarees and spinning to the sound of Lata Mangeshkar’s singing, she showed the naivety and sorrow of love with unparalleled elegance. Though Yash Chopra’s love drama raised her to dream girl level, her emotional depth was what really set the part apart.
ChaalBaaz, 1989
Playing two parts is difficult. Sridevi made them seem simple. She portrayed twin sisters in ChaalBaaz: one meek and timid, the other daring and rebellious. Her ability to change gears in seconds was shown by her comic timing as the fiery Manju and her delicacy as the vulnerable Anju. In one movie, she gave two separate performances and made each equally legendary.
Five. English Vinglish (2012)
After 15 years, Sridevi’s return picture was pure magic. Playing Shashi, a housewife who signs up for an English-speaking course to build confidence and respect, she delivered a calm, dignified, and very realistic performance. The movie resonated with people of all ages and proved her ageless genius.
Her work in Lamhe, Nagina, Khuda Gawah, and Mom also merits particular note—each highlighting a different aspect of her amazing spectrum.
Sridevi wasn’t just an actress; she was the role. From dancing like a dream to making us laugh out loud to shattering our hearts, she made an impact in every part. Not out of nostalgia but rather because genuine genius never goes away, her performances always give us chills.
