India Today summit and awards 2013

Eight women, eight walks of life, one common goal - to change the way women are perceived. The India Today summit and awards 2013 was all about honouring such women. The day-long event witnessed engaging sessions on women's issues, like work-home balance, empowerment and safety. The discussions were led by eminent politicians, social workers, actors, writers and achievers including Sridevi, Vasundhara Raje, Smriti Irani and Renana Jhabwala. Towards the end, eight women were awarded for their achievement and contribution to society, and the Delhi gangrape victim was posthumously conferred the Most Inspirational Women of the Year Award.

Sridevi in Anamika Khanna received India Today Woman Summit Award in Art.

The Original Superstar

Sridevi Kapoor, Actor

Sridevi is a name synonymous with Indian cinema of the 1980s. The actor ruled Bollywood for over three decades and can truly be called India's first female superstar. She commanded star billing, money and respect on par with the leading male actors of her day.

Sridevi, 49, started acting at the age of four and went on to work in over 270 films in five languages. After establishing herself as a star in South Indian cinema, she moved north to conquer the Hindi film industry.

The acting powerhouse starred in a slew of iconic films such as Sadma (1983), Nagina (1986), Mr India (1987), Chandni, Chaal Baaz (1989), Lamhe (1991) and Khuda Gawah (1992) to name a few. She was the queen of double roles, made the chiffon sari a rage with Chandni, has some memorable dance numbers to her credit (think Hawa Hawai and the Charlie Chaplin sequence from Mr India for instance), had a great sense of comic timing and had (and probably still does) a devoted fan base similar to that of any of the Khans today.

An entire generation of female actors from Kajol to Kareena Kapoor have gone on record to say they look up to her for inspiration. After a 15-year break from films, during which she focused entirely on her family, she made a successful comeback last year with Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish. Her portrayal of a mother struggling to learn the English language in order to rediscover her confidence struck a chord with critics and audiences alike. "When I met Gauri [Shinde] we clicked instantly. The script really appealed to me. I could relate to the character of Shashi," says Sridevi.

She says she used her time away from the arclights to spend time with her family and travel widely at leisure, something she could never do as a busy actor. She also found time for herself. Her hour-glass figure and glowing skin are testimony to the disciplined lifestyle she leads. "I follow a fixed routine. I do power yoga, eat right and play tennis with my daughters regularly. And I completely avoid fried and junk food," she says.

The veteran actor says script oriented films are finding favour with audiences today and right now is an exciting time to be in Bollywood. She is game for more projects provided the script and character appeal to her.

"Bollywood is now an exciting place to be. Today the script is the real hero," she says.

- INDIA TODAY