Sridevi

Sridevi Kapoor, originally named Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan, was a distinguished Indian film actress celebrated for her impactful contributions across Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema. Often hailed as the first female superstar of Hindi films, her legacy remains unparalleled.

Sridevi began her journey in the entertainment industry at the tender age of four, debuting as a child artist in M.A. Thirumugham’s religious film, Thunaivan. She continued to shine in various regional films, making her Bollywood entry as a child artist in the successful Julie (1975). At just 13, she transitioned to adult roles, first appearing in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu (1976). She quickly rose to prominence in Tamil and Telugu cinema with iconic films such as 16 Vayathinile (1977), Sigappu Rojakkal (1978), and Moondram Pirai (1982), among others.

In Bollywood, Sridevi took center stage with her lead role in Solva Sawan (1978) and captured widespread acclaim with Himmatwala (1983). After a 15-year break, she made a stunning return in 2012 with English Vinglish, marking a remarkable comeback that solidified her status in the industry, earning her the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2013. That same year, she was honored as 'India's Greatest Actress in 100 Years' in a CNN-IBN poll celebrating a century of Indian cinema.

Tragically, Sridevi passed away on February 24, 2018, in her hotel room in Dubai, with the coroner's report stating her death was due to accidental drowning, complicated by unconsciousness. Her enduring impact on Indian cinema continues to be felt and celebrated.