Kollywood remembers its own ‘Mayil’

Although she had a dream run in Bollywood for more than a decade, her performance in Tamil films such as Moondram Pirai, Varumai Niram Sivappu, Sigappu Rojakkal and Johnny, will remain etched in the memories of film buffs for generations to come

Some unforeseen incidents in life will shatter us — Sridevi's demise is one such. She started her career as child artiste and continued to impress us with her performance for more than three decades. But is this an age to die? I am shocked. In 1976, I was looking for a 16-year-old girl, to play the iconic role 'Mayil’ in 16 Vayathinile. That's when I came across Sridevi, who was so full of life. Mayil was my dream character. I used to imagine bringing this character to life on screen from Class 9. I told her my character is down-to-earth, and someone who doesn’t even wear make-up. To my surprise, she readily agreed. At the last day of the shoot, she became emotional and wept.  When I asked her, she said she would miss the locales, a village where we shot the film. That's when I figured how emotional she was as a person. When I approached her again for Sivappu Rojakkal , she agreed without even reading the script. Later, she was a little hesitant, when I called her for a Hindi film. I encouraged and motivated her to act in B'wood films. Even in her recent interview, she referred to me as the one who taught her how to act. What more do I need in life? Sridevi was someone who led a simple life off-screen. In fact, I was planning to rope her in for a film and was busy working on the script. It’s heartbreaking to know that she is no more.  — Bharathiraja

She was one of the finest artistes of our times. After Kamal Haasan, she was the only actor who impressed the audience from a young age.  Even before sharing screen space with her, I admired her acting skills so much that I ended up becoming her fan for life. She knows my family well. In fact, she visits us whenever she comes to Chennai. She and my wife share the same birthday. So, she remembers her quite well. Later, Sri got busy with Bollywood projects, and we couldn’t communicate often. I have many pleasant memories of her – especially on the sets of Pokkiri Raja, she was so vibrant. Shooting for that film was more like getting back to our college days.  The last time I spoke to her in person was at a family function of actor Prabhu in Chennai. I also called her to appreciate her performance in her comeback film, English Vinglish. I had witnessed her acting skills from close quarters. During the shoot of Moondram Pirai, which is still one of her career bests, she blindly followed what the director said. She was focused on her role. It’s rare to see someone with such dedication. When she used to live in CIT colony, she would borrow classics from me, and binge watch them. I am saddened by her demise and I cannot fathom how she wasn’t aware of her health. — YG Mahendra

I have acted with Sri in a Hindi film, directed by Bhagyaraj sir, which had Amitabh Bachchan in the lead. More than her beauty, it’s her demeanour, and discipline that gave her all the stardom. She comes to the sets on time, learns her dialogue in advance, and delivers whatever the director expects out of her, and some. — Parthiban 

I still remember seeing Sridevi as a child artiste in the film Adhiparasakthi . In one of the scenes, she is seen sitting on Jayalalithaa's lap. None of us can forget her character as Mayil in the film 16 Vayathinile, which went on to become a blockbuster. It was then followed by classics like Varumai Niram Sivappu and Moondram Pirai . Sridevi and I have worked together in films like Kavikuyil, Machana Partheengala, Saindhadamma Saindhadu . I could never imagine she would say goodbye so soon. I pray that her soul rests in peace. — Sivakumar

It’s a black day for the entire film industry. I acted with her in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu movies and I cherish those moments. She was a soft-spoken person, who shied away from interacting even with co-stars. Like most artistes, including myself, she never fooled around on the sets. All she knows is – work, work and work. She liked to dress up well and perform well.  People who don’t mix with others are usually called ‘egoistic’ or ‘self-centred’ but Sridevi had never been termed anything like that. It was rare to see some- one focused only on her career from a very young age. An artiste like her will live in our memories forever.  I also wish to see her daughter Janhvi onscreen soon. — Sripriya

She is a director’s artiste. I am happy I worked with her in Puli. In fact, she improvises scenes on her own, and delivers the best. She does it with so much involvement and dedication. While shooting for a fight sequence, she insisted she would get strapped in and perform stunts on her own, without using a body double.  The energy that she brings on sets is unbelievable. — Chimbu Devan

This news came as a shock to me. She is complete artiste, dancer and performer - someone who has contributed immensely to cinema. I refuse to believe she is no more.  I am waiting for someone to call me up and tell me that it’s not so. I had met her so many times. She had always encouraged me, appreciated my work and insisted that I stay cheerful. — Simran

I grew up being obsessed with Sridevi. My childhood was literally consumed by her movies and her dance moves. Working in English Vinglish was the biggest gift of my life. What impressed me most was, seeing what a nurturing and caring mother she was to her children. It’s a terrible loss to them and Indian cinema. — Priya Anand

Watching Sridevi and Kamal Haasan together on-screen is a filmgoer’s biggest payoff. Like Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, the duo had that crackling chemistry. She is 10 years my junior. I am utterly devastated by this news. No one can replace her as an actress, and the wisdom that she accumulated over the course of her career. — Radha Ravi

She started her career early, shot to stardom and has left this world too soon. The charisma, beauty and twinkle in her eye ensured that she excelled in any industry. I still remember how she walked up to me, hugged me and appreciated my dance moves, which she called graceful, at an award function in Dubai. I will cherish that memory forever. — Poorna