Cinema VinesIn a heartfelt tribute that coincided with Sridevi’s birth anniversary, Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra unveiled the cover of the forthcoming biography “Empress: The Definitive Biography of Sridevi.” The book, written by Dhiraj Kumar and set to be published by Westland Books, charts the late actress’s five‑decade career, spanning five languages and more than 300 films, and promises a candid look at her rise from child prodigy to the first pan‑Indian female megastar.
Chopra shared the cover on X, posting, “The one and only. You are so missed. Happy heavenly birthday #Sridevi #Empress… coming soon,” as a tribute to the actress who passed away in 2018 at the age of 54. The biography, according to a press release, includes seven forewords by prominent Indian film figures, exclusive contributions from Amitabh Bachchan and Javed Akhtar, and over 150 rare photographs that illuminate Sridevi’s life both on and off the screen.
Westland Books’ publisher, Karthika V K, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, “It’s an absolute privilege for us at Westland to be able to publish Dhiraj’s fantastic biography of Sridevi – it’s comprehensive, full of stories and uncommon details, and delivers on the promise of honesty.” Kumar echoed this sentiment, noting his personal association with Sridevi and thanking Boney Kapoor for his support and access to stories and photographs, as well as the contributions of film personalities from Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema.
The book features tributes from cinema icons such as Amitabh Bachchan, who calls Sridevi the “epitome of unmitigated talent,” Shabana Azmi, who recalls her expressive face, comic timing, dancing skills and star power, Telugu actor Brahmanandam, who describes her as a “rarest of rare actor” and “a boon to earth,” and writer‑director Anees Bazmee, who says Sridevi “was the hero and leading force of her films.”
“Empress” will see a pan‑India release in late 2024, offering readers an in‑depth portrait of a woman who touched over a billion lives with her art and movies, and whose legacy continues to shape Indian cinema today.
