This film could have been a marvel if it just had been treated well. Sadly, it's as embarrassing as most films of the sort. Sherni was one of the first of a weird trend of women-centric action films based on revenge, and it happens to be one of its worst examples. What was the idea behind this "revolutionary" concept? That if we have angry young men then why shouldn't we have angry young women? Women deserve to take center stage, obviously, so let's just give them exactly what the guys are doing. This concept could be interesting if the films weren't so bad. And in all these films, the woman is always this demure, pure creature who's been wronged and is not up on her feet seeking revenge. Some films of this sub-genre actually worked, like Khoon Bhari Maang, because it wasn't an action film after all and it had heart and a phenomenal Rekha; and, to a much lesser extent, Zakhmi Aurat, which started with silly action but ended up growing with a strong idea of revenge and a strong turn by Dimple Kapadia.
Sherni, however, doesn't work, and the absurdity of both the action and the script is staggering. It's just so poorly made you almost feel like having to look away to avoid the embarrassment. For a film to require constant suspension of disbelief, and not just in the technical aspect, but in the way the story is developed, is something else. One scene in which the leading lady's family is killed is so inaptly handled I couldn't believe someone in the production or editing department actually saw it and let it out this way. In another scene with her father lying on bed, the heroine is crying copious tears after a tragic incident and within less than a few seconds she raises her head in determination to signal the viewers of her prompt decision to seek revenge. It's so unbelievably bad, and I'm not even mentioning the police cars filled with dolls instead of actual humans for body doubles (yes! In one action you clearly see dolls within one of the police cars because stunt body doubles were probably too expensive). It's just the tip of the iceberg.
Sadly, it is Sridevi who had to bear all this, both as a character, but more an actress. I don't know if she had ever watched this film and what she could possibly have thought about it. She's a great dancer, a natural performer, and she had the action potential which was used better in other films, but this film doesn't give her a chance. To her credit, she starts off really well, and even when she transforms in a jiffy into a ruthless avenger, she does well in some scenes, but how effective can anyone be in such a poor film to begin with. Even she with her strong presence and undeniable acting chops couldn't save this weird bandit queen who's gone totally nuts. Many other names are wasted here, including Pran and Lalita Pawar. Shatrughan Sinha, despite his non-nonsense decency, looks too old for the part opposite a juvenile Sridevi. His part is very similar to his appearance in Khoon Bhari Maang, and while here it's a full-fledged character, it's much less effective, probably because of the film's poor quality itself.
