Fresh from the global triumph of her film English Vinglish, when Sridevi’s name was recently announced for the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honour, the legendary actress joined an elite group of Bollywood divas honoured in the past. These actresses have not only ruled the marquee with their brand of magic but have also been the most beloved, most powerful and most celebrated women of their times and even today. With Sri being the latest recipient, it's a good time to look at the women in B-Town over the years who took home the Padma Shri:-
DEVIKA RANI: One of those rare Indian actresses who actually studied acting, Devika Rani was an alumnus of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Royal Academy of Music in London. Along with her husband Himanshu Rai she started the famous Bombay Talkies studio starring in its maiden venture Karma. The film is still controversial for one of the longest kissing scenes ever on celluloid but it was her performance as an untouchable in the classic Achhut Kanya that immortalised this thespian. Many remember her as the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award but not many know that she was the grand-niece of Rabindranath Tagore or that she inaugurated the first BBC broadcast on short wavelength to India.
NUTAN: She still holds the record of being the oldest actress to win the Filmfare. Nutan had a rare talent of sinking into her character that drew directors like Bimal Roy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee towards her. Seema, Sujata, Anari, Milan and Bandini still declare her as of the finest actresses of Hindi Cinema who developed a unique 'natural style' of acting. While her contemporaries basked in the glory of glamorous characters, Nutan quietly played women who were realistic yet unconventional. Even when she played supporting roles, she ended up being the pivot. No wonder decades later a nostalgic Sanjay Leela Bhansali sighed, 'They don't make actors like her anymore.'
HEMA MALINI: The Dreamgirl of Bollywood, Hema entered the national consciousness in early 70s and remained their forever. With Andaz and Seeta Aur Geeta, she was a star and with Sholay a brighter star. Like Big B, Hema ruled the 70s with her mesmerising beauty and a string of hits with top actors from Sanjeev Kumar to Dharmendra. Her dominance was so strong that despite the presence of a host of other actresses, none could challenge Hema. Besides films, the diva lives for classical dancing and her dance school Kalakendra. Besides chairing the NFDC and campaigning for BJP, the actress also made forays into TV with Noopur and even turned director for Esha's film Tell Me O Khuda.
SMITA PATIL: The only actress who gave Shabana Azmi sleepless nights, Smita remains one of the iconic faces of the filmi movement in 80s dubbed as Parallel Cinema. With filmmakers like Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani at the helm, this powerhouse performer gave one classic after another such as Arth, Bhumika, Chakra, Mirch Masala, Bazaar and Mandi. Besides being a part of this New Wave Movement, she also balanced commercial cinema with hits like Shakti and Namak Halal. Smita was an active feminist committed to advancing women's issues in a changing India. We can only wonder what more she could have done if she had not died at the age of 31 due to alleged medical negligence while giving birth to Prateik.
REKHA: She is still the proverbial Ugly Duckling who transformed into a beautiful swan. As she herself says, it was after Ghar that she earned respect as a star and an actress. Rekha had the gift of being uniquely versatile and so she could be the carefree Manju in Khoobsurat and the pining courtesan in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. It was the latter role that seemed destined for her as she became the quintessential Umrao Jaan both in reel and real life following her legendary association with Big B. Known as the Greta Garbo of India, this current member of the Rajya Sabha still continues to fascinate the national psyche every time she steps out of her solitary house by the sea.
SRIDEVI: A recent list of 50 Iconic Actresses of Indian Cinema by CNN-IBN stated that while there are many divas, Sridevi will forever remain the First Female Superstar of Bollywood. The reason is elementary. Sridevi's blazing beauty and talent sent the Indian and the overseas populace into a hysterical frenzy unlike any other. From Tathaiya Tathaiya Ho and Hawa Hawai to Mere Hathon Mein and Morni Bagama. From Sadma and Lamhe to Mr. India and Chaalbaaz. Sridevi is still the longest running No.1 megastar of Hindi Cinema and in 2012 she also became the only actress to make a victorious comeback with English Vinglish. With a whole new generation now falling for this Indian Meryl Streep, Sridevi proves that some legends are truly timeless. No wonder this Chandni was Yash Chopra's ultimate favourite.
MADHURI DIXIT: She burst into the scene with Ek Do Teen and we have not stopped counting since. Armed with her trademark dance moves and that million dollar smile, Madhuri established herself as an inseparable part of our Indian culture. While the actress in her explored herself with Dil, Beta and Khalnayak, the divine danseuse took over in monster hits like HAHK, DTPH and Devdas. Her legendary looks captivated MF Hussain who not only painted her on canvases but created an entire film as a tribute to her in Gaja Gamini. Her comeback attempt Aaja Nachle may have failed in 2007 but the diva stands firm at Madame Tussauds smiling at her many admirers.
KAJOL: When bong beauty Kajol debuted in 91', she did not find too many takers. It was four years later with DDLJ that she simmered as Simran and rocked the world. Her pairing with SRK became box office gold and the pair have had several blockbusters like Karan Arjun, KKHH, K3G and My Name is Khan. Kajol also proved her mettle as an actress who could carry offbeat ventures like Dushman and even became the first female actor to win Filmfare for Best Villain in Gupt. A natural actress like her aunt Nutan, her fiery performances continue to light up the silver screen while her social work keeps her occupied in fields of education, cancer, widows and children
AISHWARYA RAI: The Most Beautiful Woman in the world can also claim to be a super actress and a super star. As Nandini in Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, she not only floored her audiences but also the director who went on to cast her as Paro in his epic Devads and later in Guzaarish. Her performances in Mani Ratnam's Guru, RGV's Sarkar Raj and Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodha Akbar also garnered huge applause. One of the first Indian stars to make forays into Hollywood, Ash is a regular now both on red carpets like Cannes and at humanitarian portals like UNAIDS, Pulse Polio, Eye Bank Association and Smile Train. The Aishwarya Rai Foundation is also committed to do its bit for the needy.
DEVIKA RANI: One of those rare Indian actresses who actually studied acting, Devika Rani was an alumnus of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Royal Academy of Music in London. Along with her husband Himanshu Rai she started the famous Bombay Talkies studio starring in its maiden venture Karma. The film is still controversial for one of the longest kissing scenes ever on celluloid but it was her performance as an untouchable in the classic Achhut Kanya that immortalised this thespian. Many remember her as the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award but not many know that she was the grand-niece of Rabindranath Tagore or that she inaugurated the first BBC broadcast on short wavelength to India.
NUTAN: She still holds the record of being the oldest actress to win the Filmfare. Nutan had a rare talent of sinking into her character that drew directors like Bimal Roy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee towards her. Seema, Sujata, Anari, Milan and Bandini still declare her as of the finest actresses of Hindi Cinema who developed a unique 'natural style' of acting. While her contemporaries basked in the glory of glamorous characters, Nutan quietly played women who were realistic yet unconventional. Even when she played supporting roles, she ended up being the pivot. No wonder decades later a nostalgic Sanjay Leela Bhansali sighed, 'They don't make actors like her anymore.'
HEMA MALINI: The Dreamgirl of Bollywood, Hema entered the national consciousness in early 70s and remained their forever. With Andaz and Seeta Aur Geeta, she was a star and with Sholay a brighter star. Like Big B, Hema ruled the 70s with her mesmerising beauty and a string of hits with top actors from Sanjeev Kumar to Dharmendra. Her dominance was so strong that despite the presence of a host of other actresses, none could challenge Hema. Besides films, the diva lives for classical dancing and her dance school Kalakendra. Besides chairing the NFDC and campaigning for BJP, the actress also made forays into TV with Noopur and even turned director for Esha's film Tell Me O Khuda.
SMITA PATIL: The only actress who gave Shabana Azmi sleepless nights, Smita remains one of the iconic faces of the filmi movement in 80s dubbed as Parallel Cinema. With filmmakers like Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani at the helm, this powerhouse performer gave one classic after another such as Arth, Bhumika, Chakra, Mirch Masala, Bazaar and Mandi. Besides being a part of this New Wave Movement, she also balanced commercial cinema with hits like Shakti and Namak Halal. Smita was an active feminist committed to advancing women's issues in a changing India. We can only wonder what more she could have done if she had not died at the age of 31 due to alleged medical negligence while giving birth to Prateik.
REKHA: She is still the proverbial Ugly Duckling who transformed into a beautiful swan. As she herself says, it was after Ghar that she earned respect as a star and an actress. Rekha had the gift of being uniquely versatile and so she could be the carefree Manju in Khoobsurat and the pining courtesan in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. It was the latter role that seemed destined for her as she became the quintessential Umrao Jaan both in reel and real life following her legendary association with Big B. Known as the Greta Garbo of India, this current member of the Rajya Sabha still continues to fascinate the national psyche every time she steps out of her solitary house by the sea.
SRIDEVI: A recent list of 50 Iconic Actresses of Indian Cinema by CNN-IBN stated that while there are many divas, Sridevi will forever remain the First Female Superstar of Bollywood. The reason is elementary. Sridevi's blazing beauty and talent sent the Indian and the overseas populace into a hysterical frenzy unlike any other. From Tathaiya Tathaiya Ho and Hawa Hawai to Mere Hathon Mein and Morni Bagama. From Sadma and Lamhe to Mr. India and Chaalbaaz. Sridevi is still the longest running No.1 megastar of Hindi Cinema and in 2012 she also became the only actress to make a victorious comeback with English Vinglish. With a whole new generation now falling for this Indian Meryl Streep, Sridevi proves that some legends are truly timeless. No wonder this Chandni was Yash Chopra's ultimate favourite.
MADHURI DIXIT: She burst into the scene with Ek Do Teen and we have not stopped counting since. Armed with her trademark dance moves and that million dollar smile, Madhuri established herself as an inseparable part of our Indian culture. While the actress in her explored herself with Dil, Beta and Khalnayak, the divine danseuse took over in monster hits like HAHK, DTPH and Devdas. Her legendary looks captivated MF Hussain who not only painted her on canvases but created an entire film as a tribute to her in Gaja Gamini. Her comeback attempt Aaja Nachle may have failed in 2007 but the diva stands firm at Madame Tussauds smiling at her many admirers.
KAJOL: When bong beauty Kajol debuted in 91', she did not find too many takers. It was four years later with DDLJ that she simmered as Simran and rocked the world. Her pairing with SRK became box office gold and the pair have had several blockbusters like Karan Arjun, KKHH, K3G and My Name is Khan. Kajol also proved her mettle as an actress who could carry offbeat ventures like Dushman and even became the first female actor to win Filmfare for Best Villain in Gupt. A natural actress like her aunt Nutan, her fiery performances continue to light up the silver screen while her social work keeps her occupied in fields of education, cancer, widows and children
AISHWARYA RAI: The Most Beautiful Woman in the world can also claim to be a super actress and a super star. As Nandini in Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, she not only floored her audiences but also the director who went on to cast her as Paro in his epic Devads and later in Guzaarish. Her performances in Mani Ratnam's Guru, RGV's Sarkar Raj and Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodha Akbar also garnered huge applause. One of the first Indian stars to make forays into Hollywood, Ash is a regular now both on red carpets like Cannes and at humanitarian portals like UNAIDS, Pulse Polio, Eye Bank Association and Smile Train. The Aishwarya Rai Foundation is also committed to do its bit for the needy.
