Priyanka Chopra unveils cover of upcoming Sridevi biography book.
Dhiraj Kumar’s Westland biography chronicles Sridevi’s journey from child prodigy to Indian cinema’s first pan-Indian female megastar.
- Priyanka Chopra unveiled the cover of Empress: The Definitive Biography of Sridevi.
- The book is written by Dhiraj Kumar and published by Westland Books.
- It covers Sridevi’s five-decade career across five languages.
- Sridevi acted in more than 300 films.
- The biography explores her journey from child artist to pan-Indian superstar.
- It examines her influence in a traditionally hero-centred film industry.
- The book includes seven forewords and contributions from Amitabh Bachchan and Javed Akhtar.
- More than 150 rare photographs will feature in the biography.
- Boney Kapoor supported the project by providing stories and photographs.
- Tributes describe Sridevi as an extraordinary talent and the leading force of her films.
New Delhi: Actor Priyanka Chopra has unveiled the cover of Empress: The Definitive Biography of Sridevi, an upcoming book that celebrates the extraordinary life, career, and lasting influence of one of Indian cinema’s greatest performers.
Written by Dhiraj Kumar and published by Westland Books, the biography traces Sridevi’s journey across five decades, five languages, and more than 300 films. It presents her not simply as a successful actor, but as the first truly pan-Indian female superstar whose popularity crossed regional, linguistic, and cultural boundaries.
Priyanka Chopra revealed the cover on social media on Thursday, coinciding with Sridevi’s birth anniversary. Sharing a photograph of the cover, she wrote, “The one and only. You are so missed. Happy heavenly birthday.” She also added the hashtag for the forthcoming book.
The message captured the affection that audiences and colleagues continue to feel for Sridevi. Even years after her death, her performances remain alive in the memories of film lovers. Her ability to move effortlessly between intense drama, comedy, romance, dance, and emotional roles made her a rare presence in Indian cinema.
Empress examines Sridevi’s rise in an industry that was traditionally centred on male stars. At a time when female actors were often expected to support the hero or play limited roles, Sridevi became the leading force of several films. Her presence could carry a story, attract audiences, and determine the commercial success of a project.
The biography follows her transformation from a child artist into a national icon. She began acting at a very young age and worked across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi cinema. This multilingual career allowed her to build a connection with audiences across India long before the current era of pan-Indian films.
Her performances were admired for their emotional depth and expressive power. She could communicate pain, humour, fear, mischief, and vulnerability through a glance or a small change in expression. At the same time, her dancing skills and comic timing gave her performances a distinctive energy.
The book also looks beyond the public image. It attempts to offer a portrait of Sridevi away from the spotlight, exploring the person behind the superstar and the demands that came with maintaining such an enormous career. Her journey is placed within the wider evolution of Indian cinema, showing how the industry, its audiences, and the position of women on screen changed over time.
Rare contributions and photographs
The biography includes seven forewords by leading figures from Indian cinema, along with exclusive contributions from Amitabh Bachchan and Javed Akhtar. It also features more than 150 rare photographs, offering readers a visual record of Sridevi’s life and professional journey.
Karthika V K, publisher at Westland Books, described the publication as a privilege. She said Dhiraj Kumar’s account was comprehensive, filled with stories and uncommon details, and committed to presenting Sridevi’s journey honestly.
Kumar said his personal association with Sridevi made the project a rare privilege. He described her as one of world cinema’s finest actors and a South Asian icon whose art had touched more than a billion lives. He also thanked Sridevi’s husband, Boney Kapoor, for his support and for providing access to stories and rare photographs.
The book brings together memories from personalities connected with Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema. These contributions help present Sridevi as a performer whose influence extended far beyond one film industry.
Shabana Azmi recalls her expressive face, comic timing, dancing ability, and immense star power.
Writer-director Anees Bazmee describes her as “the hero and leading force of her films”.
These tributes reflect why Sridevi remains so deeply admired. She did not merely appear in films; she transformed the space she occupied. Her success opened possibilities for generations of female actors and proved that a woman could be the central attraction, emotional anchor, and commercial strength of a major Indian film.
Empress is therefore more than a biography. It is a record of an era, a tribute from colleagues and admirers, and an attempt to understand the artistry of a performer whose legacy continues to grow.