‘She conquered every industry’
I met Sridevi on the sets of one of my father’s films, in which she acted as his daughter. In fact, he always considered her his daughter and was very fond of her. I am at a loss for words, and don’t know whether to cry or smile reminiscing all the good memories. She was three years younger to me, but much more experienced as an actor. When I got the chance to act with her in Aakhari Poratam , I was nervous. I observed her from a distance, but was scared I would make a fool of myself. We were shooting in a car on Chennai’s Beach Road, and I kept forgetting my lines. Away from the camera, she would prompt my lines. We always kept in touch and were good friends. I hope her two beautiful daughters get the strength to overcome this loss. Sridevi conquered every industry she set foot in. There won’t be another like her.
Nagarjuna,
Actor
‘There is only one Sridevi’
A legend has passed away. I am still wondering if the news is true. This shouldn’t have happened to her. I have known her since childhood, much before I became an actor. I don’t remember when I first met her, but I think it was in Chennai when she was a child actor. She was extremely disciplined and graceful. She as born to act. My dad (late producer D. Ramanaidu) was fond of her. Sridevi started off very young and was up against many established names. She held her own so beautifully and was extremely expressive. Her best film was Kshana Kshanam . She wasn’t just a glamorous actor; we all know her body of work. She acted in films of several languages and made her mark, which is not easy. There is only one Sridevi and she is unparalleled. Our family has been in touch with Boney Kapoor over the years and would meet if they visited Hyderabad or we went to Mumbai.
Venkatesh,
Actor
‘She is irreplaceable’
It is tough to believe that she is no more, and her roles in iconic movies will stay with us forever. Her position in the Indian film industry is irreplaceable. I still remember her song ‘Boochadamma’ in Badipantulu and her wide gamut of expressions. I hold her innocent performance with my brother Chiranjeevi in Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari close to heart. It is unfortunate that she couldn’t see her daughter’s entry in films.
Pawan Kalyan,
Actor
‘Good actress, wonderful person’
I have known Sridevi’s family since the time they stayed in Tirupathi. It also happens to be her mother’s hometown. She was not only a good actress, but also a wonderful human being with whom I was privileged to work on a number of movies. It took only one phone call for her to agree to attend the 42nd anniversary of my movie industry journey in Visakhapatnam recently. I wish God gives enough strength to her family to get over this loss.
Mohan Babu,
Actor
‘Great loss to film fraternity’
She acted in many movies with my father, and had the ability to emote any scene through her eyes. Her sudden death is a great loss to the film fraternity. I wish her soul rests in peace.
Balakrishna,
Actor
‘A role model for Indian heroines’
Sridevi’s mother was also an artiste and worked in my film. Just like her mother groomed her, it was Sridevi’s desire to groom her daughters but sadly, her end came too soon. She will remain a role model for Indian heroines as long as Indian film industry exists. She not only had a good voice, she was also good at drawing. I remember during Badi Panthulu (1972), she would draw pictures of me reprimanding my assistant directors or of NTR sporting glasses and walking with a stick. I asked her why she drew NTR with a stick, as we had not picturised that shot. She said, “He will in the climax, won’t he?” She was that sharp. When the unit members tried pulling her leg that they would show her drawing to NTR, she quickly tore it off as she feared and respected NTR.
I once visited the studio where she was shooting with Amitabh Bachchan. The security guard did not let me in. I sent word to her and she came out, touched my feet and led me in. As Amitabh watched, she introduced me to him and he said, “I guessed you must be from the South; she took permission to go out for a minute which she never does. She hardly talks to anyone, just smiles.”
She worked as a child artiste, as junior Vanisree in Attha Kodallu , Illu Illalu and Badi Panthulu .She also acted as a heroine in two of my films with Krishna – Bhoga Bhagyalu and Bangaru Bhoomi . Her mother used to say, “I want to make my daughter the best heroine”, and Sridevi fulfilled that dream.
P.C. Reddy,
Director
‘A warm personality’
The Indian film industry has lost a great actress. Like everyone else, I am also coming to terms with the fact that she is no more. The first film for which I worked with her was Mom (he, along with Ravi Udyawar and Girish Kohli, is credited for the film’s story). I hadn’t imagined it would be our last one. She was a very warm personality.
Kona Venkat,
Scriptwriter-director
‘Often visited her’
My association with Sridevi goes back a long way. Most of my super-hits were remade in Hindi by Boney Kapoor. There was no trip to Mumbai where I missed visiting their family. I am unable to accept the fact that such a good human being and a good actress is no more with us.
A.M. Ratnam,
Producer
(As told to Sangeetha Devi Dundoo and Y. Sunitha Chowdary)
