Sridevi Kapoor (தமிழ்: ஸ்ரீதேவி, born 13 August 1963, known mononymously as
Sridevi),
[1] is an Indian film actress who has worked in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and a few Kannada films.
[2]
Often noted for her splendid acting and mesmerising dances, Sridevi
appeared in range of movies from comedy, drama, action to thriller,
superhero and romance. She is cited as the First Female Superstar of Hindi Cinema,one of the most beautiful and graceful actress of all time.
[3] Sridevi is widely regarded as one of the most iconic actresses
[4] one of the longest reigning leading ladies
[5] and one of the greatest and most influential actresses of Bollywood.
[6][7]
The emergence of Sridevi as The First Female Superstar of Bollywood has
been chosen as the leading defining moment in 100 years of Indian
cinema and NDTV described her as a National Treasure.
[8]
She started her career as a child artist in M.A. Thirumugham’s devotional Thunaivan at the age of four,[9]
and continued to act as a child artist in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and
Kannada films. She made her Bollywood debut as a child artist in the hit
Julie (1975) and played her first adult role at age 13 in Moondru Mudichu (1976). Sridevi quickly established herself as the leading actress in the South Indian industry with roles such as 16 Vayathinile (1977), Sigappu Rojakkal (1978), Varumayin Niram Sivappu (1980), Meendum Kokila (1981) and Moondram Pirai (1982). However her national success came in Bollywood. Making her debut as a leading lady with Solva Sawan (1978), she gained wide public attention with blockbuster movie Himmatwala (1983). She appeared in a string of commercially successful movies like Mawaali (1983), Tohfa (1984), Masterji (1985), Karma (1986), Mr. India (1987), Waqt Ki Awaz (1988), Chandni (1989). She also received critical acclaim for commercially successful movies like Sadma (1983), Nagina (1986), ChaalBaaz (1989), Lamhe (1991), Khuda Gawah (1992), Gumrah (1993), Laadla (1994), Judaai (1997)
In 2012, Sridevi returned to films after a 15 year long hiatus with English Vinglish and became the only actress in the history of Hindi Cinema to make a highly successful comeback.[10] In 2013 Government of India awarded her Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honor. She was also voted 'India's Greatest Actress in 100 Years' in a CNN-IBN national poll conducted in 2013 on the occasion of the Centenary of Indian Cinema. In her career, Sridevi has won five Filmfare Awards including a Filmfare Special Award .
Family and personal life
Sridevi was born to Ayyapan and Rajeswari on 13 August 1963 in Sivakasi, Tamilnadu .She is a Tamilian from Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu Her father was a lawyer. She has a sister and two step brothers.[11][12] Sridevi married Boney Kapoor, a film producer and the elder brother of actors Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Kapoor,
in 1996. They have two daughters, Jahnavi and Khushi. Jahnavi was born
out of wedlock, when Boney was legally married to his first wife Mona Shourie Kapoor.
Career
1967–1975: Early Years as Child Artist
Sridevi started her career as a child actor at the age of four in
Tamil movie Thunaivan playing the role of young Muruga and acted in many
Tamil and Telugu movies from then on. Baby Sridevi’s performance in
Poombatta (1971) in Malayalam won her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist. Kandan Karunai
(1967); Nam Naadu (1969); Prarthanai (1970) Babu (1971); Vasantha
Maaligai (1972) are the most notable films of her career as a child
artiste. In 1975, Sridevi debuted in Bollywood with Julie, where she played younger sister to the protagonist Lakshmi.
1976–1982: Superstardom in South Indian Industry
Sridevi (right) and Gauri Shinde pictured during the shoot of the 2012 film English Vinglish.
In 1976, Sridevi starred in her first leading role in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu directed by K. Balachander. She followed it with a number of films with Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth.
Sridevi's first release of 1977 was Gayathri followed by Kavikkuyil and 16 Vayathinile where she played the role of a young girl who is caught between her two lovers. She also starred in the movie's Telugu remake Padaharella Vayasu in 1978. Her subsequent notable films included Bharathi Raja's Sigappu Rojakkal, SP. Muthuraman's Priya, Karthika Deepam, Johnny, Varumayin Niram Sivappu and Aakali Rajyam.
In 1981, she starred in the Tamil film Meendum Kokila which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil. In 1982, Sridevi starred in Moondram Pirai playing a woman suffering from amnesia and went on to win the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.
Sridevi's notable Telugu films include Konda Veeti Simham, Kshana Kshanam, Vetagadu, Sardar Paparayudu and Bobbili Puli. With A. Nageswara Rao, she appeared in movies such as Mudulla Koduku, Premabhishekham, Bangaru Kanuka and Premakanuka as well as Kanchu Kagada, Kalavari Samsaram, Krishnavatharam, Burripalem Bolludu, Khaidi Rudrayya, Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari, S. P. Parasuram and Govinda Govinda.
Her performance in the 1992 Ram Gopal Varma directed Kshana Kshanam won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu and Andhra's Nandi Award for Best Actress.
1983–1997: Superstardom in Hindi Cinema
Sridevi made her debut in Hindi films with Solva Sawan in 1979. Four years later she was signed to star opposite Jeetendra in Himmatwala. The film released in 1983 and became one of the biggest blockbusters of the year.[13][14] It established Sridevi in Bollywood and earned her the famous sobriquet 'Thunder Thighs'.[15] Her dance number 'Nainon Mein Sapna' became a rage with Rediff stating that "the
water pots may have dominated most frames in Nainon mein sapna but it
was Sridevi's bejewelled outfits and headgears that stole the show".[16] The following year Tohfa released and turned out to be the biggest hit of 1984.[17] The film established Sridevi as the topmost actress of Bollywood[5] with Filmfare magazine declaring her "Unquestionably No.1" on their cover.[18] Sridevi went on to star in several films like Mawaali, Maqsad and Justice Chaudhry forming a popular onscreen pair with Jeetendra.[19][20]
Sadma released in 1983 brought Sridevi critical acclaim.[21] A remake of her Tamil film Moondram Pirai, Sadma is included in iDiva's list of '10 Must Watch Movies That Weren't Blockbusters'.[22] Sridevi's performance as a child-woman suffering from amnesia was called by Indian Express "a milestone in her illustrious career".[23] Sridevi also featured in the Mid Day list of 'Challenging Roles played by Bollywood Actors' describing her act in the film as "her best performance ever".[24] In 2012, Adil Hussain, Sridevi's co-star in English Vinglish revealed that he became a fan of the actress after watching her in Sadma.[25] The Sridevi-Kamal Hasan pair also appeared on the CNN-IBN 2012 list of 'Greatest Romantic Couples on Celluloid'.[26] The film won Sridevi her first Filmfare nomination for Best Actress.
In 1986, came the snake fantasy Nagina
which saw Sridevi play an 'ichhadhaari naagin' or a shape-shifting
woman. The film turned out to be the second biggest blockbuster of the
year[27][28] with Box Office India stating that Sridevi remained "the undisputed No.1".[5] Named one of the best snake fantasy films by Yahoo,[29] Times of India ranked Nagina as one of the 'Top 10 Snake Films of Hindi Cinema'.[30] Sridevi's climax dance number 'Main Teri Dushman' also remains one of the best snake dances in Bollywood[31] with Desi Hits calling it "one of Sridevi's most iconic dance numbers...that still gives fans goose bumps"[32] and iDiva describing it as "the stuff of movie legends".[33] Besides Nagina, 1986 also saw Sridevi giving box-office hits in Subhash Ghai's multi-starrer Karma and Feroze Khan's Janbaaz. According to CNN-IBN Bollywood Blockbusters, "Sridevi's popularity grew so much that despite having a guest appearance in Janbaaz, she completely overshadowed the film's lead heroine Dimple Kapadia".[34]
Sridevi followed the success of Nagina by playing a goofy crime journalist in the 1987 film Mr. India described by Rediff as "one of the most iconic films of its time".[35] Directed by Shekhar Kapur, it became one of the highest grossing hits of the year[36] and also found a place in Hindustan Times list of 'Top 10 Patriotic Films of Hindi Cinema'.[37] While the trade famously joked that the film should have been named Miss. India,[38] Rediff also stated that "Sri was a complete show-stealer in the film".[35] Sridevi's iconic imitation of Charlie Chaplin in the film was described by Times of India as "the most hilarious act she has ever done".[39] Rediff also featured Sridevi in its list of 'Super Six Comic Heroines' stating that "her mobile face expressions could give Jim Carrey sleepless nights" and that "her biggest plus point is her ability to be completely inhibited in front of the camera".[40] The famous 'Hawa Hawai' dance, cited by Times of India as "one of the unforgettable numbers of Sridevi",[41] also became a popular nickname for the actress.[42][43] Besides comedy, Sridevi gave Hindi Cinema one of its sexiest rain songs[44] in the film's chart-buster 'Kaate nahin kat te' where Filmfare described Sridevi as "truly a goddess in a blue sari".[45] Times of India included the number in its 'Top 10 Hot'n'Sexy Songs' countdown for featuring a "stunning Sridevi sizzling in a wet blue saree" and being "a trendsetter for erotic numbers to follow in Bollywood"[46] while iDiva described the song as "unparalleled in Hindi Cinema".[47] Rediff also featured the song in its list of 'Top 25 Sari Moments' praising Sridevi's "ability to look erotic even when she's covered from head to toe".[48] Kaate Nahi Kat Te song was choosen by NDTV as the most famous rain song in Bollywood [49] Box Office India states that with the success of Mr. India, Sridevi "continued her domination" over her contemporaries Jaya Prada and Meenakshi Sheshadri.[5] In 1989 came Chaalbaaz which had Sridevi in a double-role playing twin sisters separated at birth. Filmfare ranked her performance 4th in its list of '80 Iconic Performances of Hindi Cinema' stating that "Sridevi´s
penchant for giggles and her ability to look distinctly tearful when
required polishes these performances to perfection. Hell, she made Sunny
Deol and Rajnikant look like sidekicks in the film".[50] while the Times of India article 'Bollywood's Hit Double Roles' gushed "Sridevi's performance rocked the box office".[51] Rediff featured the film in its countdown of '25 Best Double Roles in Bollywood' saying "What you don't realise until you have seen Chaalbaaz is just how incredible Sridevi is at depicting both ends of the spectrum"[52] and that the film "cemented her position as an actress with a killer comic timing".[35] Speaking to Indian Express about Sridevi's act in Chaalbaaz, the director Pankaj Parashar said "She proved her range with the movie and after that she got lots of offers which saw her in a double role".[53] Her slapstick rain dance 'Na jaane kahan se aayi hai' became a big hit with Times of India describing it as a "Sridevi classic where she simply looked wow with her chirpy expressions and rain drops kissing her cheeks".[54] This twin-sister act won Sridevi her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress in Hindi films while the song bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography.
The same year also saw the release of the Yash Chopra romantic saga Chandni with Sridevi playing the title role. According to iDiva, the film was "more an event and less a movie".[33] Chandni emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of 1989[55] with The Hindu stating that "the film opened to full houses and distributors had to drastically increase the number of theatres".[56] Cited by Times of India as "one of the most watched films of Indian Cinema",[57] the film also reaffirmed Sridevi’s position as the top female star of the 1980s.[58] Describing Sridevi's performance in Chandni, Indiatimes wrote "True
to her screen-name, she was an epitome of radiance, warmth and
vivacity. She effortlessly introduced us to the powerful streaks, her
classic, angelic character was laden with".[59] While Sridevi topped the Hindustan Times list of Yash Chopra's 'Top 5 Heroines',[60] CNN-IBN also ranked her no.1 on its list of 'Yash Chopra's 10 Most Sensuous Heroines' saying "Yash Chopra immortalised Sridevi as the perfect Chandni".[61] The title role became one of the most famous characters of Hindi Cinema with India Today including it in its list of 'Yash Chopra's Iconic Characters'[62] while NDTV featured it in its list of 'Yash Chopra's Greatest Creations' stating that the film established Sridevi "as the nation's sweetheart".[63] Sridevi's iconic 'Chandni Look' revolutionized fashion in North India[33] with Rediff stating "A luminous Sridevi slips into every possible design in white for a major chunk of the romance and no one complains".[64] The Tribune wrote "Leena
Daru scored a winner again when she created the 'Chandni Look' for
Sridevi. Every street corner sold the salwar-kameez and dupatta that
gave the heroine a refreshingly understated look, rarely seen on the
Indian screen".[65] while Mid Day reported that the "simple
white churidar and kurta with the leheriya dupatta gave Sridevi an
angelic image and caused Chandni Chowk stores to hit the jackpot with
thousands of copies".[66] BizAsia also described the effect of the look saying "Chopra
never quite got over his Sridevi hangover and chose to present his lead
heroines in similar outfits (Juhi Chawla in ‘Darr’ (1993), Madhuri
Dixit in ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ (1997)), but none of them became half as
iconic as Sridevi".[67] The 'Chandni Look' was also highlighted in the film's famous Tandav dance sequence by Sridevi where Rediff said "the actress transformed into a mythical goddess in a white number".[16] Sridevi's chiffons became equally popular with Indian Express writing "This movie made the chiffon sari a must-have in every Indian woman's wardrobe".[68] The music of Chandni became a Platinum Success[33] with Sridevi's famous dance number 'Mere Hathon Mein Nau Nau Choodiyan' finding a place in the Rediff chart of 'Bollywood's Top 25 Wedding Songs.'[69] The actress also lent her voice to the film's popular title-track 'Chandni O Meri Chandni'.[70] which featured among the 'Top 5 Songs' of Yash Chopra by Hindustan Times.[60] Chandni won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment while Sridevi garnered Filmfare Best Actress nominations for both Chandni and Chaalbaaz in 1989 winning for the latter.
Yash Chopra again cast Sridevi in his 1991 film Lamhe. Times of India included it in its list of 'Top 10 Films of Yash Chopra' describing it as a tale of "love transcending the boundaries of time and space"[71] while Rediff called it "Quite easily one of his most definitive films, Chopra surpassed his own findings of romance with the insightful, lovely Lamhe".[72] Sridevi played both mother and daughter cast in what iDiva described as "another double role but it was unlike any played before".[33] Hailed by Rediff as "one of the most remarkable films of her career...often considered a film way ahead of its time",[35] Her performance brought her much acclaim with BizAsia stating that "Her
rendition of both Pallavi and Pooja serves well in highlighting how
versatile she is as an actress, playing contrasting characters in the
same movie".[73] Speaking to Karan Johar about the 'Making of Lamhe', Yash Chopra revealed "When
90% of the London schedule was over, tragedy happened. Sridevi's father
died...She came back after 16 days and had to shoot a comedy scene...At
that moment she forgot everything and gave a wonderful scene. I
understood that is the secret of her success...Why she is what she is".[74] Sridevi's folk dance number 'Morni Baga ma' also became a rage and was placed among the 'Top 5 Songs' of Yash Chopra by Hindustan Times.[60] Lamhe failed commercially but received high critical praise and has over the years become a cult classic.[22][75] Talking about the film, critic Rachel Dwyer wrote in her biography of the film-maker "Yash
Chopra's own favourite film, Lamhe ('Moments', 1991), divided the
audience on a class basis: it was hugely popular with metropolitan
elites and the overseas market, which allowed it to break even, but it
had a poor box-office response (largely lower class, especially the
repeat audience) because of its supposed incest theme".[76] The Hindu reported that "With shades of incest, Lamhe caused more than a flutter and remained the talk of the town"[77] while Sridevi herself admitted in an interview with Rajeev Masand that she found the subject "too bold".[78] Though the film flopped with Rediff describing its failure as "one of those bizarre, unexplained moments of cinema",[72] Lamhe picked up five Filmfare trophies including Filmfare Award for Best Film and Sridevi's second Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Her popular Rajasthani costumes in the film also won designer Neeta Lulla her first National Film Award for Best Costume Design.[79]
In 1992, Sridevi starred in the epic Khuda Gawah opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The actress played a double role again as an Afghani warrior Benazir and her daughter Mehendi. Shot extensively in Afghanistan, the film did good business with BBC reporting that "it ran to packed houses for 10 weeks in Kabul".[80] Khuda Gawah still remains popular in the Afghan country and Rediff reported that the film is "in great demand after the opening of cinema halls in the country".[81] The film picked up the Filmfare Award for Best Director while Sridevi earned a Filmfare nomination for Best Actress.
The actress's big budget 1993 release Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja was one of India's most expensive films ever made.[82] Though the film failed at the box-office, Sridevi was appreciated with Times of India calling her disguise in a comedy scene "the best ever South Indian role played by any actress".[83] Sridevi continued to get central roles with big banners like the Dharma Productions venture Gumrah opposite Sanjay Dutt. Directed by Mahesh Bhatt,
the actress played a singer falsely accused of drugs smuggling in Hong
Kong. Bollyspice stated in its 'Sridevi Retrospective' that "Despite
very good performances from the rest of the cast, Gumrah was really
Sridevi’s film. She managed to exemplify female emotion and robustness
to a great degree that you remember the film largely for her significant
contribution towards it".[35] Her performance received another nomination for Filmfare Best Actress Award. In 1994, Sridevi teamed up with Anil Kapoor again in Laadla playing business tycoon Sheetal Jaitley. The character, described by Times of India as "rude, dominant and very competitive"[83] brought her yet another Filmfare nomination.
The last major film Sridevi starred in before she took a break from the industry was Judaai released in 1997. Along with Anil Kapoor and Urmila Matondkar,
the actress played a greedy housewife going to extreme lengths for
money. Talking about her swan song, critic Subhash K. Jha wrote that
Sridevi "left us with the most stunning hurrah in Judaai. A terrible
film that I've watched countless times to see her play the money-minded
harridan who 'sells' her husband to Urmila Matondkar. Who but Sridevi
could carry of such an outrageous role with such enthusiastic élan?!"[84] while Bollyspice stated that "She used her polished acting skills to illustrate her character’s greed and individualism at such a grotesque level."[35] Judaai won Sridevi her eighth Filmfare nomination for Best Actress.
Sridevi at the premiere of English Vinglish
1998-2011 : Hiatus from Films , Post-Marriage and Television Debut
After a six-year hiatus, Sridevi briefly returned to the small screen in the Sahara sitcom Malini Iyer (2004–2005). She also appeared on Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2004) and as a judge in the TV show Kaboom (2005). She performed a medley of some of her musical numbers at the 52nd Filmfare Awards 2007. She is also a member of the Board of Directors at the Asian Academy of Film & Television.[85]
On 19 September 2009, Sridevi appeared on the Sony TV show 10 Ka Dum hosted by Salman Khan. On the episode, she and her husband, Boney Kapoor, were guests, along with actor-director Prabhu Deva, actress Ayesha Takia and the musical duo Sajid-Wajid, all of whom had come to promote their film Wanted.
Sridevi has also appeared on ramps in Lakme Fashion Weeks 2008 and
2010 and the HDIL Couture Week 2009 as Showstopper for designers like
Neeta Lulla, Queenie Dhody and Priya-Chintan.
Sridevi also developed passion for painting. In March 2010, her
paintings were sold by an international art auction house with the money
raised being donated.[86]
In 2011, Kareena Kapoor
paid a tribute to Sridevi by performing to a selection of Sridevi's
numbers at the Global Indian Film and Television Awards. Kapoor called
Sridevi her hero and the reason why most girls of her generation became
actresses.
In May 2012, Sridevi appeared in Aamir Khan's TV show Satyamev Jayte
as a surprise to an interviewee who had been sexually abused as a
child. She also signed a letter to the government in support of passing a
law criminalizing sexual abuse of children initiated by Aamir Khan.
2012 : Comeback with English Vinglish
Sridevi announced her comeback in early 2011, while working in a new film English Vinglish.[87] directed by Gauri Shinde (R. Balki's wife). Her return was officially announced at the IIFA Awards 2011 held in Toronto with a montage of Bollywood stars welcoming her back. After the Toronto premiere,some international media outlets hailed Sridevi as the "Meryl Streep of India."[88][89][90] Two weeks later America's entertainment weekly Variety wrote in its review of English Vinglish that it found Sridevi "Disarmingly charming in a manner that recalls Audrey Hepburn."[91]
On release, the film and Sridevi's performance received positive response. The Times of India
gave it 4/5 calling it "Easily one of the best films of 2012...Sri's
performance is a masterclass for actors...Request you to make a little
place next to you, Rajkumar Hirani; Gauri Shinde has taken a bow in
mainstream Bollywood." [92] Another 4/5 came from Raja Sen of Rediff who found the film is "a winner all the way...Sri excels in fleshing out her character."[93]
Critic Subhash K Jha gave a 4.5 saying Sridevi "makes the contemporary
actresses, even the coolest ones, look like jokes...If you watch only
two films every year make sure you see "English Vinglish" twice!"[94]
Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN
gave it 3.5 stars saying Sridevi delivers "a performance that is
nothing short of perfect...It's warm and fuzzy, and leaves you with a
big smile on your face."[95] Anupama Chopra also gave it 3.5 calling it "that rare thing...Sridevi doesn't miss a beat. Her performance is a triumph."[96] Firstpost's Rubina Khan gave the film a full 5/5 saying "Sridevi brings acting back in English Vinglish."[97] Komal Nahta
said it was 'beyond stars' applauded Sridevi saying she "makes the best
comeback in Bollywood history and delivers a landmark performance."[98] Social movie rating site MOZVO gave it 4.1 out of 5 putting it in 'Must Watch' category.[99] Amer Shoib of The Cinema Journal
gave it 4/5 and called the film "a hilarious, touching, sensitive, and
sweet film that marks the triumphant come back of India's biggest female
star...Sridevi."[100]
With the worldwide triumph of English Vinglish, Sridevi, most
probably, became the only actress in Bollywood to make a successful
comeback as a leading lady after marriage and a long hiatus.[10][101][102][103] Box Office Capsule hailed the film and Sridevi's return as "Golden Comeback of the Queen."[104] Director Gauri Shinde featured in the Financial Times 2012 list of '25 Indians To Watch'.[105]
Film critic Raja Sen from Rediff explained why she is ranked as No. 1
"This is a simple film where things are credible, never melodramatic,
and Sridevi – in a range of well-picked cotton sarees – always judges
the tone right. It's the sort of performance younger actresses,
including the ones on this list, should learn from."[106]
Sridevi emerged as the most-admired Bollywood actress of 2012 in a
mobile survey conducted by Vuclip, world's largest mobile research
company.[107] Furthermore, she was nominated for Best Actress in most of the award ceremonies, including the Filmfare awards, where she received her ninth nomination for Best Actress.[108]
Awards and honors
- Civilian award
- 2013 – Padma Shri India's fourth highest civilian award from the Government of India.
- Kerala State Film Award
- 1970 – Best Child Artist for Poombatta
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
- 1982 – Best Actress for Moondram Pirai
- Nandi Awards
- 1991 – Nandi Award for Best Actress for Kshana Kshanam
- Filmfare Awards
-
- Won
- 1982 – Filmfare Best Actress Award (Tamil) for Meendum Kokila
- 1990 – Filmfare Best Actress Award for ChaalBaaz
- 1991 – Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) for Kshana Kshanam
- 1992 – Filmfare Best Actress Award for Lamhe
- 2013 – Filmfare Special Award for Nagina and Mr. India
-
- Nominations
- 1984 – Filmfare Best Actress Award for Sadma
- 1990 – Filmfare Best Actress Award for Chandni
- 1993 – Filmfare Best Actress Award for Khuda Gawah
- 1994 – Filmfare Best Actress Award for Gumrah
- 1995 – Filmfare Best Actress Award for Laadla
- 1997 – Filmfare Best Actress Award for Judaai[109]
- 2013 – Filmfare Best Actress Award for English Vinglish[108]
- Stardust Awards
-
- Won
- 2013 – Stardust Award for Best Actress Drama for English Vinglish[110]
-
- Nominated
- 2013 – Stardust Award for Star of the Year(Female) for English Vinglish
- Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Award
-
- Won
- 2013 – Guild President Honour for English Vinglish
-
- Nominated
- 2013 – Apsara Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for English Vinglish
- NDTV Indian of the Year
-
- Won
- 2013 – NDTV Entertainer of the Year [111]
- India Today Woman Summit Awards
-
- Won
- 2013 – India Today Woman in Arts [112]
- TSR-TV9 Awards
-
- Won
- 2013 – Empress of Indian Cinema [113]
- Screen Awards
-
- Nominations
- 1998 – Screen Award for Best Actress for Judaai
- 2013 – Screen Award for Best Actress for English Vinglish
- Zee Cine Awards
-
- Nominations
- 1998 – Best Actress Award for Judaai
- 2013 – Best Actress Award for English Vinglish
- CNN-IBN Indian of the Year
-
- Nominations
- 2013 – Entertainment Category for English Vinglish[114]
- Times of India Film Awards
-
- Nominations
- 2013 - TOI Award for Best Actor - Female for English Vinglish
- Special Honors
- 1981 – Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu
- 1990 – Smita Patil Memorial Award for Contribution to Indian Cinema [115]
- 1994 – Kalaiselvam – South Indian Cine Artists Association Award
- 1994 – Giants Award for Contribution to Indian Cinema
- 1997 – Kalasaraswathi Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh[116]
- 2003 – Lachchu Maharaj Award[117]
- 2003 – Vamsee International Award for Contribution in Indian Cinema [118]
- 2003 – MAMI Award in Contribution to Indian Cinema [119]
- 2004 – Dr. Akkineni Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2008 – FICCI "Living Legend in Entertainment Award"[120]
- 2009 – Special Honour at 33rd Cairo International Film Festival for Contribution to Hindi Cinema[121]
- 2012 – Hello Fame Award for Outstanding Performer of the Year 2012
- 2012 – IRDS Film Award 2012 for performance as Shashi Godbole in English Vinglish [122]
- 2013 – Hindustan Times Mumbai's Most Stylish Award
- 2013 – Honoured by Maharashtra Governor for winning Padmashri
- 2013 – Voted 'India's Greatest Actress of All Time' in CNN-IBN Poll[123]
- 2013 – Vogue India Awards Timeless beauty Award
- Annual Lists and Polls
- 2012 – Voted "Most-Admired Bollywood Actress" by Vuclip, world's largest mobile research company.[124]
- 2012 – Ranked No.1 as "Bollywood's 10 Best Actresses Of 2012" by Rediff [125]
- 2012 – Ranked No.1 in the Top 10 Bollywood Actresses Of 2012 by Box Office Capsule[126]
- 2012 – Ranked No.1 in the Top 10 Bollywood Actresses Of 2012 by CNN IBN[127]
- 2012 – Voted No.1 in the Top 10 Finest Actresses Of Bollywood 2012 by Filmy Buzz[128]
- 2012 – Voted No.1 as the best Bollywood Actress of 2012 by Koimoi.com [129]
- 2012 – Ranked No.1 in the Top 10 Bollywood Actresses of 2012 by Bollyspice.com [130]
- 2012 – Voted No.1 as the most powerful woman in Bollywood town with more than 74% votes by Bollywoodlife.com [131]
Tamil
| 1967 |
Muruga |
|
| 1969 |
Nam Naadu |
|
| Thunaivan |
|
| 1970 |
Agathiyar |
|
| 1971 |
Babu |
|
| 1972 |
Kanimuthu Paapa |
|
| Vasantha Maligai |
|
| 1973 |
nanban |
|
| Prarthanai |
|
| 1974 |
Thirumangalyam |
|
| Thirudi |
|
| Engal Kuladheivam |
|
| Avalukku Nihar Avale |
|
| 1976 |
Moondru Mudichu |
Selvi |
| 1977 |
Gayathri |
Gayathri |
| Kavikkuyil |
Radha |
| 16 Vayathinile |
Mayil |
| Sayndhadamma Sayndhadu |
Gauri |
| 1978 |
Ilaya Rani Rajalakshmi |
|
| Ganga Yamuna Kaveri |
|
| Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye |
|
| Machanai Partheengala |
|
| Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala |
|
| Mudisooda Mannan |
Rupa |
| Pilot Premnath |
|
| Sigappu Rojakkal |
Sarada |
| Priya |
Priya |
| Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai |
|
| Rajavuukeththa Rani |
|
| Sakka Podu Podu Raja |
|
| 1979 |
Arumbugal |
|
| Dharma Yuddham |
Chitra |
| Kalyanaraman |
Shenbagam |
| Pagalil Oru Iravu |
Bindhu |
| Kavariman |
|
| Neela Malargal |
Jyothi |
| Naan Oru Kai Parkiren |
|
| Pattakathi Bhairavan |
Deepa |
| Sigappukkal Mookkuthi |
|
| Lakshmi |
Lakshmi |
| Thaayillamal Naan Illai |
Bhuvana |
| 1980 |
Guru |
|
| Johnny |
Archana |
| Varumayin Niram Sivappu |
Devi |
| Viswaroopam |
|
| 1981 |
Balanagamma |
Bala |
| Dheiyva Thirumanangal |
|
| Sankarlal |
Hema |
| Meendum Kokila |
Kokila |
| Ranuva Veeran |
|
| 1982 |
Moondram Pirai |
Bhagyalaksmi / Vijaya / Viji |
| Deviyin Thirivilaiyadal |
|
| Thanikattu Raja |
Vani |
| Pokkiri Raja |
Vanaja |
| Vazhvey Maayam |
Devi |
| Vanjam |
|
| 1983 |
Adutha Varisu |
Valli/ Radha |
| Santhippu |
Geetha |
| 1985 |
Meenakshiyin Thiruvilaiyaadal |
|
| 1986 |
Naan Adimai Illai |
Priya |
| 2012 |
English Vinglish |
Shashi |
Malayalam
| 1969 |
Kumara Sambavam |
|
| 1970 |
Swapnangal |
|
| 1971 |
Poombatta |
|
| 1972 |
Theertha Yathra |
|
| 1976 |
Abhinandhanam |
|
| Kuttavum Sikshayum |
|
| Thulavarsham |
|
| 1977 |
Aashirvadham |
|
| Aadhya Paadham |
|
| Aa Nimisham |
|
| Aalinganam |
|
| Amme Anupame |
|
| Nirakudam |
Shanta |
| Oonjal |
|
| Satyavan Savithri |
Savithri |
| Vezhambal |
|
| 1978 |
Nalumani Pookkal |
|
| 1996 |
Devaraagam |
|
Telugu
| 1970 |
Maa Nanna Nirdoshi |
Child Artist |
| Agni Pareeksha |
Child Artist |
| 1971 |
Nenu Manishine |
Child Artist |
| Na Thammudu |
Child artist |
| 1972 |
Bharya Biddalu |
Child Artist |
| Badi Panthulu |
Granddaughter |
| Bala Bharatam |
Dussala |
| 1973 |
Bhakta Tukaram |
Child artist |
| Marapurani Manishi |
Child artist |
| Mallamma Katha |
Child artist |
| 1975 |
Yashoda Krishna |
Young Lord Krishna |
| Ee Kalapu Pillalu |
Child artist |
| Devudilanti Manishi |
Child artist |
| 1976 |
Anuraagalu |
Jyothi/Started as Heroine |
| 1977 |
Bangarakka |
Bangarakka |
| 1978 |
Padaharella Vayasu |
Malli |
| 1979 |
Bangaru Chellelu |
Lakshmi |
| Burripalem Bolludu |
Jyothi |
| Karthika Deepam |
Radha |
| Mudulla Koduku |
Radha |
| Vetagadu |
Roja |
| 1980 |
Aatagadu |
Vijaya |
| Chuttalunnaru Jagratha |
Vanaja |
| Kaksha |
Radha |
| Devudu Ichchina Koduku |
Rajamma |
| Gharana Donga |
Devi |
| Mama Allulla Saval |
|
| Premakanuka |
Sandhya |
| Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu |
Muthyam |
| Sardar Paparayudu |
Vijaya |
| Gaja Donga |
Sujatha |
| Mosagadu |
|
| Patagadu |
Bhuvana |
| 1981 |
Bhoga Bhagyalu |
|
| Aakali Rajyam |
Devi |
| Gharana Gangulu |
|
| Gadasari Atta Sugasari Kodalu |
Susheela |
| Guru Sishyulu |
Latha |
| Kondaveeti Simham |
Devi |
| Premabhishekam |
Devi |
| Ranikasula Rangamma |
Rangamma |
| Illalu |
Jyothi |
| Satyam Sivam |
Parvati |
| 1982 |
Aadi Vishnulu |
|
| Andagadu |
Hema |
| Anuraga Devata |
Roopa Devi |
| Bangaru Bhoomi |
Padma |
| Bangaru Koduku |
|
| Bobbili Puli |
Vijaya |
| Devata |
Lalitha |
| Justice Chowdary |
Rekha |
| Kalavari Samsaram |
|
| Babulu Gaadi Debba |
|
| Krisharjunulu |
Vaasanthi |
| Krishnavatharam |
Gauri |
| Samsher Shankar |
|
| Bangaru Kanuka |
Roopa |
| Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bharthalu |
|
| 1983 |
Adavi Simhalu |
|
| Kirayi Kotigadu |
Gauri |
| Mundadugu |
Bharathi |
| Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju |
Jyothi |
| Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu |
|
| Sri Ranganeetalu |
Vijaya |
| Urantha Sankranthi |
Sathya |
| 1984 |
Kanchu Kagada |
Durga |
| Pachani Kapuram |
Priya |
| Kode Trasu |
Lalitha |
| 1985 |
Vajrayudham |
Subadhra |
| Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu |
Radha |
| 1986 |
Jayam Manade |
Kanaka Maha Lakshmi |
| Khaidi Rudrayya |
Latha |
| 1987 |
Makutamleni Maharaju |
Saroja |
| 1988 |
Mavoori Magaadu |
Rajani |
| Maharajasri Mayagadu |
Divya |
| 1989 |
Aakhari Poratam |
Pravallika |
| 1990 |
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari |
Indraja / Rani |
| 1991 |
Kshana Kshanam |
Satya |
| 1993 |
Govinda Govinda |
Naveena |
| 1994 |
S.P.Parasuram |
Sukumari |
Hindi
| 1975 |
Julie |
Irene |
| 1978 |
Solva Sawan |
Mehna |
| 1983 |
Sadma |
Nehalata Malhotra |
| Himmatwala |
Rekha S. Bandookwala |
| Jaani Dost |
Shaloo |
| Justice Chaudhury |
Rekha |
| Mawaali |
Julie |
| Kalakaar |
Radha Khanna |
| 1984 |
Jaag Utha Insan |
Sandhya |
| Akalmand |
Priya |
| Inquilaab |
Asha A. Nath |
| Tohfa |
Lalita |
| Maqsad |
Bharati |
| Naya Kadam |
Laxmi |
| 1985 |
Sarfarosh |
Vijaya |
| Balidaan |
Uma |
| Masterji |
Radha |
| 1986 |
Nagina |
Rajni |
| Ghar Sansar |
Radha |
| Aag Aur Shola |
Aarti |
| Sultanat |
Shehzadi Yasmeen |
| Dharam Adhikari |
Priya |
| Bhagwan Dada |
Bijli |
| Aakhree Raasta |
Vinita Bhatnagar |
| Janbaaz |
Seema |
| Karma |
Radha |
| Suhaagan |
Lalitha |
| 1987 |
Watan Ke Rakhwale |
Radha R. Pratap |
| Jawab Hum Denge |
Jyoti |
| Aulad |
Devki |
| Nazrana |
Tulsi |
| Majaal |
Sadhana |
| Mr. India |
Seema Sohni |
| Himmat Aur Mehanat |
Jyoti |
| 1988 |
Sone Pe Suhaaga |
Meena |
| Sherni |
Durga |
| Ram-Avtar |
Sangeeta "Shano" |
| Waqt Ki Awaz |
Lata I. Prasad |
| 1989 |
Nigahen: Nagina Part II |
Neelam |
| Main Tera Dushman |
Jugni |
| Guru |
Uma / Roma |
| Joshilaay |
|
| Gair Kanooni |
Laxmi |
| Chandni |
Chandni Mathur |
| ChaalBaaz |
Anju Das / Mandu Das |
| 1990 |
Pathar Ke Insan |
Lata Rai |
| Nakabandi |
Geeta / Seeta |
| 1991 |
Farishtay |
Rasbhari |
| Lamhe |
Pallavi / Pooja Bhatnagar |
| Banjaran |
Reshma / Devi |
| 1992 |
Khuda Gawah |
Benazir / Mehndi |
| Heer Ranjha |
Heer |
| Aasman Se Gira |
Forest Goddess |
| 1993 |
Gurudev |
Sunita / Priya |
| Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja |
Seema Soni |
| Gumrah |
Roshni Chadha |
| Chandramukhi |
Chandramukhi |
| 1994 |
Laadla |
Sheetal Jaitley |
| Chaand Kaa Tukdaa |
Radha |
| 1996 |
Army |
Geeta |
| Mr. Bechara |
Asha |
| 1997 |
Judaai |
Kajal Verma |
| Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha |
Sapna Mathur |
| 2004 |
Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin |
Durga |
| 2008 |
Halla Bol |
Herself |
| 2012 |
English Vinglish |
Shashi Godbole |
| 2013 |
Bombay Talkies |
Special appearance as herself in song "Apna Bombay Talkies"[2] |
Kannada
| 1974 |
Bhakta Kumbaara |
Muktha Bai |
| 1976 |
Hennu Samsaradha Kannu |
|
