Aalinganam, Abinandanam, Angeekaram, Ashirvadam, Antardaham, Aa Nimisham, Akale Aakasham…All super hit Malayalam movies directed by hit maker IV Sasi. Another interesting fact about these movies is that South Indian beauty queen Sridevi had sizzled on screen as the leading lady in all these. It would definitely be a surprise to many to know that IV Sasi was one of the few film makers who directed Sridevi in several movies.
The Southern diva, who won hearts in Bollywood with her unique charm and splendid beauty, had played the female lead in more than ten films helmed by the late director. Aalinganam, released in 1976, was the first movie in which the duo worked together. Vincent and Raghavan played the lead roles and the screenplay of the movie was written by Alleppey Sheriff.
Aalinganam was just a beginning of an amazing and successful partnership between a passionate film maker and an incredible actress. Abinandanam, Angeekaram and Asheervadam, Akale Aakasham, Aa Nimisham, Antardaham and Oonjal followed. Sridevi had acted in almost eight Malayalam movies directed by IV Sasi, all within a year. All these movies had its screenplays written by Alleppey Sheriff, and super stars from Madhu to Kamal Haasan acted alongside Sridevi in the films.
Sridevi had acted in all these IV Sasi’s films way before she became a national sensation. She was still a teenager when she appeared in movies like Antardaham and Aa Nimisham. The audience could still spot an innocent child in the mini skirt clad heroine, whose most prominent feature on face was her large nose.
After back to back hits, the rumor mills were buzz that Sridevi and IV Sasi were in a relationship. Soon Sridevi returned to the Tamil movies as heroine. With blockbusters like Moondru Mudichu, 16 Vayathinile and Moondram Pirai, Sridevi was catapulted to stardom. By this time, Seema had replaced Sridevi in IV Sasi’s Malayalam films.
However, the diva reunited with the director in the Tamil movies Pakalil Oru Iravu (1979) starring Vijayakumar and Guru (1980) alongside Kamal Haasan. The song ‘Parakkathe .. Kidakathe’ from the movie Guru in which Kamal Haasan and Sridevi were seen chasing each other in helicopters was a huge hit.
After conquering the South Indian industry, Sridevi, the legendary diva had her eyes set on Bollywood where she ruled the box offices for more than a decade. Himmatwala, released in 1984 became one of the biggest hits of the year and then there was no looking back for Sridevi. It was almost impossible for Sridevi, the reigning queen of Bollywood to make a comeback to the South Indian industry after that.
The Malayalam movies like Aalinganam, Oonjal, Aashirvadadam, Aabinandanam and the like will now remain the eternal memorials of IV Sasi, the dream maker and Sridevi, the silver screen diva. It must be a rare uncanny coincidence that Sridevi bid adieu to the world exactly four months after IV Sasi passed away.
