The Sridevi Sweatshirt

In “Hawa Hawai,” inarguably the pièce de résistance of Mr. India (1987), Bollywood actor Sridevi descends from the skies draped in glittery gems and sequins. Once her feet touch the ground, she cheekily blows a kiss to her rapt audience; a golden crown sits squarely on her head. What follows is a seven-minute-long masterclass of camp, comedy, and glamour. With a mic in hand, Sridevi contorts her face to convey a myriad of emotions — disapproval, glee, playful abandon, mischief, pluck, and sheepishness — widening her eyes, rolling them, and puckering her lips. She doesn’t move on stage as much as glides over it. As the world becomes her stage, it’s clear that the stage is her world. There were many reasons to be obsessed with Sridevi. You could be a fan of her impeccable dancing and probably tried replicating the steps to “Main Teri Dushman” from Nagina (1986) in your room. Or, you were taken by her pitch-perfect comic timing in Mr. India and how effortlessly she made you laugh at, and