This question seems to be ridiculous when one reads it superficially. But we have two Savithris. One is the famous Cine timeless diva Mahanati Savithri and the another Savithri is a well known mythological character, the epitome of chastity and unflinching devotion towards her husband.
After Sridevi sent a legal notice to director Ram Gopal Varma condemning the use of her name for his upcoming movie, the impending question is, ‘Why is Sridevi having problems with RGV film’s title?’ In her legal notice, it is mentioned clearly that she has apprehensions regarding the change of title from ‘Savithri’ to ‘Sridevi’.
Since RGV’s movie got into controversies for indecency and the title ‘Savithri’ is replaced with ‘Sridevi’, doesn’t that mean… Savithri is the title resembling chastity and hence replaced and ‘Sridevi’ can be used instead? Sridevi comparing herself to mythological character Savithri is out of question anyway. Today, feminists see the stand of such mythological characters are emotional regression of women’s thought processes during times of male dominated patriatchial society.
The ball is in Mahanati Savithri’s court. Even today, why is Savithri considered the greatest of all the heroines? She was one heroine who used only her brilliant performance skills, exceptionally expressive body language and brilliantly emotive beautiful eyes. Though many consider her beauty matchless, she never tried to use her physique in indecent manner.
Coming to Sridevi, she is beautiful, successful and one of the most talented actresses. No doubt. But to get to the number one position in Bollywood, she chose the way of skin show and exposing her physical assets. In her initial movies in Bollywood like ‘Himmatwala’, ‘Tohfah’ and many others, she banked on her thunder thighs and voluptuous figure which was considered very indecent those days.
Coming to Varma’s film posters, the model turned actress’ poses might seem indecent. Agreed. But if one goes to Sridevi’s Hindi movies while she was having sunny days there, they are no better. Then why this cry now? Why this double standards? Sridevi can be anybody’s name and her name isn’t yet immortalised like Mahanati’s Savithri’s name.
Sridevi already starred in two of RGV’s movies ‘Kshana Kshanam’ and ‘Govinda Govinda’. She walked alongwith Varma into K Raghavendra Rao show ‘Soundarya Lahari’ where most of the discussions inevitably target to the veteran director’s penchant to beat heroine’s navel with flowers, fruits etc etc. When she had no qualms regarding even starring in those kind of scenes, why this double standards now? RGV may not be right. But she isn’t either.
