Notable Tamil films of Sridevi

Legendary actres Sridevi acted in a plethora of films during her 50-year-long career. Here are some of her memorable films in the Tamil film industry


Thunaivan
Sridevi began her acting career at the age of four with the film Thunaivan in the year 1969. The film was produced by MMA Chinnappa Devar and directed by MA Thirumugam. The film had AVM Rajan and Sowcar Janaki playing the lead and Sridevi played the role of Lord Muruga in it. The film was a musical hit. Sridevi’s performance in the film was much lauded.

16 Vayathinile

The film marks the debut of Bharathiraaja in the Kollywood film industry and revolves around the character Mayil played to perfection by Sridevi. Sridevi plays a 16-year-old teenager who is vulnerable, faces many challenges and the way she overcomes it. The film has Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth as the male leads. The film attained a cult status in Indian cinema for its realistic portrayal of characters.

Moondram Pirai

This romantic drama is highlight in Sridevi’s career. She played a woman with retrograde amnesia (Viji) in the film. Srinivas, a school teacher played by Kamal Haasan, protects her in his house. The film revolves around the relationship between Seenu and Viji. The film was also released in Hindi as Sadma and established Sridevi as an actress in Bollywood.

Moondru Mudichu
Directed by K Balachander, Moondru Mudichu had Rajinikanth and Sridevi playing the lead. Kamal Haasan did an extended role in the film. The precursor for the storyline was Thanga Gopuram, which starred J Jayalalithaa. The scene where Rajinikanth makes Kamal Haasan topple over the boat in the middle of the lake is a memorable one in Tam il films. The song Vasantha Kaala by Jayachandran, Vani Jairam and MS Vishwanathan was a huge hit.

Sigappu Rojakal
Sigappu Rojakkal, a psychological thriller starring Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, ran for 175 days at the box office. The film was directed by Bharathiraaja and had music by Isai Gnani Ilaiyaraaja. The movie was said to be loosely inspired by Raman Raghav’s grisly crimes, a psychopath misogynist. After two village-based subjects 16 Vayathinile and Kizhakke Pogum Rail, Bharathiraaja has tried a different genre in the film.

Priya
Priya, a 1978 film is an adaptation of writer Sujatha’s novels. The film is directed by SP Muthuraman and has Rajinikanth, Sridevi and Ambarish in the lead. Sridevi plays a movie star in the film, who is exploited by her producer. She seeks a lawyer’s help to get out of the turmoil. This was Ilaiyaraaja’s 50th film as a music director.

Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu

The 1980 film depicts the struggles of youth and their disillusionment with Indian society. The plot centers on three educated but unemployed youth trying to earn a living.The story touches several aspects of Indian social norms of the period. Sridevi plays the lead opposite Kamal Haasan. The film was directed by K Balachander.

Puli

Sridevi made a comeback to the industry with Vijay’s Puli. The actress played an evil queen in the movie. Though the film failed to make an impact at the Box Office, Sridevi’s role in the film was quite appreciated. She had said that she had not done any role on those lines and hence, decided to go ahead. She played the power-packed role to perfection.