Sridevi Birth Anniversary: Celebrating the Queen of Indian Cinema With Her Best Films in Bollywood and the South

Today, August 13, 2026, marks the 63rd birth anniversary of the iconic actress Sridevi, born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, in 1963. A true luminary of Indian cinema, Sridevi's career spanned over five decades, establishing her as the 'first female superstar' with an extraordinary acting range and dancing skills that transcended languages and genres. Her ability to effortlessly switch between comedic brilliance, intense drama, and captivating dance made her a beloved figure across the nation. Sridevi’s Birth Anniversary: Remembering the Iconic Actress and Her Fashion Legacy in Sarees.

Sridevi's Early Beginnings as a Child Prodigy

Sridevi's journey into films began at an incredibly tender age of four with the 1967 Tamil film Kandhan Karunai, where she made her debut as a child artist. Her natural talent quickly became evident, leading to numerous roles in South Indian cinema. She received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist for her performance in the 1971 Malayalam film Poompatta. Her Hindi debut as a child artist came with Rani Mera Naam in 1972, followed by a notable supporting role in the 1975 film Julie. Sridevi Birth Anniversary: 5 Iconic Moments of the Legendary Actress That Are Eternal.

'Chandni' Trailer - Watch Video:

South Indian Stardom: From Teenager to Leading Lady

Sridevi's transition to adult lead roles began at the young age of 13 with the 1976 Tamil film Moondru Mudichu, where she notably starred alongside Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. This pivotal role set the stage for her immense success in South Indian cinema. Her performance in the 1977 Tamil film 16 Vayathinile proved to be a major breakthrough.

Other significant South Indian films that showcased Sridevi's versatility include:

• Padaharella Vayasu (Telugu, 1978)

Release Date: August 31, 1978; Director: K. Raghavendra Rao; Cast: Sridevi, Chandra Mohan, Mohan Babu.

• Meendum Kokila (Tamil, 1981)

Release Date: January 14, 1981; Director: G. N. Rangarajan; Cast: Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Deepa; Awards: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil.

• Moondram Pirai (Tamil, 1982)

Release Date: February 19, 1982; Director: Balu Mahendra; Cast: Sridevi, Kamal Haasan; Awards: Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.

• Kshana Kshanam (Telugu, 1991)

Release Date: October 9, 1991; Director: Ram Gopal Varma; Cast: Sridevi, Venkatesh Daggubati, Paresh Rawal; Awards: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu, Nandi Award for Best Actress.

Sridevi in 'Moondru Mudichu' - Watch Film:

Sridevi's Iconic Bollywood Films: The 'Female Superstar' Era

Sridevi's Hindi cinema debut as a leading lady was with Solva Sawan in 1979. However, it was films like Himmatwala (1983) that truly cemented her status, making her a formidable force at the box office.

Sridevi's unforgettable Bollywood filmography includes:

• Sadma (1983)

Release Date: July 8, 1983; Director: Balu Mahendra; Cast: Sridevi, Kamal Haasan; Awards: Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress.

• Nagina (1986)

Release Date: November 28, 1986; Director: Harmesh Malhotra; Cast: Sridevi (as Rajni), Rishi Kapoor, Amrish Puri; Box Office: INR 13 crore (second-highest-grossing film of 1986).

• Mr. India (1987)

Release Date: May 29, 1987; Director: Shekhar Kapur, Cast: Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Amrish Puri; Box Office: INR 100 million in India.

• Chandni (1989)

Release Date: September 14, 1989; Director: Yash Chopra; Cast: Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna; Box Office: INR 27.2 Crore.

• ChaalBaaz (1989)

Release Date: December 8, 1989; Director: Pankaj Parashar; Cast: Sridevi (double role), Rajinikanth, Sunny Deol; Awards: Filmfare Best Actress Award.

• Lamhe (1991)

Release Date: November 21, 1991; Director: Yash Chopra; Cast: Sridevi (double role), Anil Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman; Awards: Filmfare Best Actress Award.

• Judaai (1997)

Release Date: February 28, 1997; Director: Raj Kanwar; Cast: Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Urmila Matondkar; Awards: Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress.

Sridevi in the Song 'Morni Bagama' from 'Lamhe' - Watch Video:

Sridevi's Resounding Comeback and Final Act

After a 15-year hiatus, Sridevi made a spectacular return to the silver screen with the critically acclaimed English Vinglish (2012), proving her enduring charm and acting prowess. Her final starring role was in the 2017 crime thriller Mom, which earned her a posthumous National Film Award for Best Actress, a testament to her profound impact and talent until her untimely passing in 2018.

• English Vinglish (2012)

Release Date: October 5, 2012; Director: Gauri Shinde; Cast: Sridevi, Sujatha Kumar, Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou, Priya Anand; Awards: Shortlisted as India's official entry for the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, apart from its other award wins for acting and direction.

• Mom (2017)

Release Date: July 7, 2017; Director: Ravi Udyawar; Cast: Sridevi, Sajal Ali, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Akshaye Khanna, Adnan Siddiqui; Awards: National Film Award for Best Actress (Sridevi, the first posthumous award in the category), National Film Award for Best Background Score (AR Rahman).

'English Vinglish' Trailer - Watch Video:

Sridevi's legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and remains a golden chapter in the annals of Indian cinema. Her iconic performances, memorable songs, and ability to command both commercial and critical success solidify her position as one of the greatest performers the industry has ever seen.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 13, 2026 02:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).