Barely had I entered Sri's residence when she asked, "Want to have some ice-cream? It's very good". Refusing politely I made my way to her tastefully (though a little messy here and there) decorated drawing room at the posh Creen Acres society in Lokhandwala.
I must admit I was a little nervous about the interview since I was told, "she talks only in monosyllables". And when madam perched pretty on a chair in a corner of the room far from where I was sitting, I wondered if an extension cord would be available so that my Dictaphone could reach her mouth. Attired in a pair of casual jeans and a loose floral kurta, she was busy giving the first touch of make-up to her thoroughly-scrubbed face. "They just called up to say that the shooting has been postponed. We were supposed to shoot in the night earlier," she informs me, "But why are you sitting there, so far away? Come and sit next to me and I insist you have some ice-cream." And before I can even open my mouth to say Baskin Robbins, a large bowl of fresh chocolate ice-cream is pushed at me. "Have it and while you are eating, no talking okay? I want you to enjoy it. Will you believe, I have been literally living on this for the last four days. This is one thing I can't resist, "she confides.
For a woman who has lately withstood an entire fusillade of the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, I admired her ability to still partake of the small joys of life.
Ice-creams cleared off (no traces of it whatsoever) the interview begins and all my apprehensions disappear. There's much more to Sri than monosyllables, I discover. In fact I find her just like the ice-cream we shared - freezing cold at first she melts and thaws with time - the many flavored Sridevi.
I must admit I was a little nervous about the interview since I was told, "she talks only in monosyllables". And when madam perched pretty on a chair in a corner of the room far from where I was sitting, I wondered if an extension cord would be available so that my Dictaphone could reach her mouth. Attired in a pair of casual jeans and a loose floral kurta, she was busy giving the first touch of make-up to her thoroughly-scrubbed face. "They just called up to say that the shooting has been postponed. We were supposed to shoot in the night earlier," she informs me, "But why are you sitting there, so far away? Come and sit next to me and I insist you have some ice-cream." And before I can even open my mouth to say Baskin Robbins, a large bowl of fresh chocolate ice-cream is pushed at me. "Have it and while you are eating, no talking okay? I want you to enjoy it. Will you believe, I have been literally living on this for the last four days. This is one thing I can't resist, "she confides.
For a woman who has lately withstood an entire fusillade of the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, I admired her ability to still partake of the small joys of life.
Ice-creams cleared off (no traces of it whatsoever) the interview begins and all my apprehensions disappear. There's much more to Sri than monosyllables, I discover. In fact I find her just like the ice-cream we shared - freezing cold at first she melts and thaws with time - the many flavored Sridevi.
The Industry grapevine is fairly snapping and crackling with the news that Boney and you are finally married after a decade of your now-off, now-on again affair. Is it true?
It's absolute rubbish. Please, I am not married to Boney. I don't deny that he is one of the few genuine friends I have but it's ridiculous to even think about us having as affair. You think a man and a woman can never be friends without falling in love? For me, Boney is a pillar of strength. I am very grateful to him for being with me through all my troubled times. But I will never, never, get involved with a married man. IT'S NOT WORTH IT! It's meaningless and I just don't believe in it. As far as Boney and I are concerned, he's a friend who always lends me moral support.
Such as?
He's been there for me several times. I can't say I have led smooth life. Every time my life appeared normal and I was happy, I have been struck by a tragedy. Earlier when everything was going smoothly my father died; and barely had I come to terms with his death when as American neurosurgeon spoilt my mother's operation by operation on the wrong side of her brain. Life has been difficult but I survived because I am a survivor.
How is your mother now?
I can't say she is perfectly alright, but she's much better now. Hopefully, she should be okay in another two-three months. I am glad she can at least move around now. At one point of time I thought I might lose her. She was in such bad shape.
What was worse was that I had to leave her on some days to shoot in Bombay. I used to and still call her up at least five times in the morning before leaving for my shoot and another five times in the evening after I come back. I have got myself a cellular pone especially so that I can talk to her even when I am shooting.
I cannot live without my mother. I need her for everything. There's not a single thing that she doesn't know about me. If I have a problem, I still call her up and ask her what to do. Even today I don't sign a film till she gives me to go ahead. We are virtually bound by an umbilical cord. And to think, I took her to Sloane Kettering because it is supposed to be the world's best hospital. Today, when I look at her I feel so guilty. There are so many good doctors even in Madras whom I could have taken her to. In the US I felt so frightened, lonely and lost.
It's absolute rubbish. Please, I am not married to Boney. I don't deny that he is one of the few genuine friends I have but it's ridiculous to even think about us having as affair. You think a man and a woman can never be friends without falling in love? For me, Boney is a pillar of strength. I am very grateful to him for being with me through all my troubled times. But I will never, never, get involved with a married man. IT'S NOT WORTH IT! It's meaningless and I just don't believe in it. As far as Boney and I are concerned, he's a friend who always lends me moral support.
Such as?
He's been there for me several times. I can't say I have led smooth life. Every time my life appeared normal and I was happy, I have been struck by a tragedy. Earlier when everything was going smoothly my father died; and barely had I come to terms with his death when as American neurosurgeon spoilt my mother's operation by operation on the wrong side of her brain. Life has been difficult but I survived because I am a survivor.
How is your mother now?
I can't say she is perfectly alright, but she's much better now. Hopefully, she should be okay in another two-three months. I am glad she can at least move around now. At one point of time I thought I might lose her. She was in such bad shape.
What was worse was that I had to leave her on some days to shoot in Bombay. I used to and still call her up at least five times in the morning before leaving for my shoot and another five times in the evening after I come back. I have got myself a cellular pone especially so that I can talk to her even when I am shooting.
I cannot live without my mother. I need her for everything. There's not a single thing that she doesn't know about me. If I have a problem, I still call her up and ask her what to do. Even today I don't sign a film till she gives me to go ahead. We are virtually bound by an umbilical cord. And to think, I took her to Sloane Kettering because it is supposed to be the world's best hospital. Today, when I look at her I feel so guilty. There are so many good doctors even in Madras whom I could have taken her to. In the US I felt so frightened, lonely and lost.
How did you take the news when you first heard that the operation was messed up?
I wasn't told about it until three days after the operation because my family though that I would take the news badly as I am so attached to my mother. For them it was like handling two people. One was my mom and the other, me. However, call it intuition or whatever but I had this strange feeling that something was wrong somewhere. When I asked them, they said, "Nothing to worry, she is fine but nobody is allowed to meet her."
How did you finally come to know that there was a mishap?
Three days later, when they told me the truth, I didn't believe it. I kept saying, "Don't be silly. This can't happen." Then I saw that they were serious. So I ran to my sister to confirm the news and I found her crying. She didn't have the courage to tell me personally. I cannot express my state of mind at that point in words. I was shattered, scared. I didn't know what to do. I went berserk. I was hysterical, dumbfounded. I went totally blank.
Who broke the news to you?
Mr. Boney Kapoor and my brother-in-law. You know something, before going to the operation theatre my mom had this uncanny feeling that something was going to go wrong. She told me and my family doctor (whom we had taking along), "Please tell the doctor to operate me in the right place." My family doctor laughed and said, "Don't be silly, we are in one of best hospitals in the world, nothing can go wrong. It's like telling your daughter to act well." Not even in my wildest dreams I thought that something like this would happen. Even today I shudder to think of that fateful day. I am glad the worst is over.
Did you meet the doctor who mucked up the operation?
No I haven't met him. I only saw him once when he came out of the operation room (the operation was scheduled for two hours but they took five hours). He asked for my brother-in-law, Boney and my doctor.
I wasn't told about it until three days after the operation because my family though that I would take the news badly as I am so attached to my mother. For them it was like handling two people. One was my mom and the other, me. However, call it intuition or whatever but I had this strange feeling that something was wrong somewhere. When I asked them, they said, "Nothing to worry, she is fine but nobody is allowed to meet her."
How did you finally come to know that there was a mishap?
Three days later, when they told me the truth, I didn't believe it. I kept saying, "Don't be silly. This can't happen." Then I saw that they were serious. So I ran to my sister to confirm the news and I found her crying. She didn't have the courage to tell me personally. I cannot express my state of mind at that point in words. I was shattered, scared. I didn't know what to do. I went berserk. I was hysterical, dumbfounded. I went totally blank.
Who broke the news to you?
Mr. Boney Kapoor and my brother-in-law. You know something, before going to the operation theatre my mom had this uncanny feeling that something was going to go wrong. She told me and my family doctor (whom we had taking along), "Please tell the doctor to operate me in the right place." My family doctor laughed and said, "Don't be silly, we are in one of best hospitals in the world, nothing can go wrong. It's like telling your daughter to act well." Not even in my wildest dreams I thought that something like this would happen. Even today I shudder to think of that fateful day. I am glad the worst is over.
Did you meet the doctor who mucked up the operation?
No I haven't met him. I only saw him once when he came out of the operation room (the operation was scheduled for two hours but they took five hours). He asked for my brother-in-law, Boney and my doctor.
Why didn't your family doctor go into the operation theatre while the operation was on?
They didn't allow him inside even though we request them to. If only he'd been present, nothing would have gone wrong because he would have immediately pointed out that they were operating on the other side.
What would be your reaction if you ever come face to face with the offending doctor?
You normally appear serene and stoic so it would be interesting to know how you'd react in the face of extreme provocation.
(Gritting her teeth): I will never forgive him. I am very angry with him. How can a qualified doctor do something as drastic as this? It is unpardonable. I feel whatever one is doing, one should do it well. If you are an actor, act well; if you are a doctor, do your job well. Besides, anybody else can be pardoned; but not a doctor. How can he fool around with anybody's life? He is not fit to be a doctor then. I keep thinking about all the helpless patients who place their lives in a doctor's hands with complete trust. You see, I can afford to spend on my mother but what if such a thing had happened to somebody else? You know, people sell off their houses, their property… everything for goose treatment/ If something like this happened to them, they'll be left with virtually nothing when they come back. I don't think this doctor should be allowed to go scout free.
What was your reaction when the surgeon was merely dismissed. What do you think would have been his ideal punishment?
See, at the time it happened, I was in no frame of mind to think of what was happening with his life. I didn't care what happened to him. I was more concerned about my mother. All I can say is that he is not worthy do being a doctor.
Did you get the compensation you asked for? It may not be important to you but the punishment would have served as a deterrent to its happening to anybody else.
Here again, the last thing on my mind was to ask for compensation. After the debacle, the hospital authorities suggested we ask for compensation. My lawyers agreed upon a sum and the matter was dealt with between them. I was not involved.
They didn't allow him inside even though we request them to. If only he'd been present, nothing would have gone wrong because he would have immediately pointed out that they were operating on the other side.
What would be your reaction if you ever come face to face with the offending doctor?
You normally appear serene and stoic so it would be interesting to know how you'd react in the face of extreme provocation.
(Gritting her teeth): I will never forgive him. I am very angry with him. How can a qualified doctor do something as drastic as this? It is unpardonable. I feel whatever one is doing, one should do it well. If you are an actor, act well; if you are a doctor, do your job well. Besides, anybody else can be pardoned; but not a doctor. How can he fool around with anybody's life? He is not fit to be a doctor then. I keep thinking about all the helpless patients who place their lives in a doctor's hands with complete trust. You see, I can afford to spend on my mother but what if such a thing had happened to somebody else? You know, people sell off their houses, their property… everything for goose treatment/ If something like this happened to them, they'll be left with virtually nothing when they come back. I don't think this doctor should be allowed to go scout free.
What was your reaction when the surgeon was merely dismissed. What do you think would have been his ideal punishment?
See, at the time it happened, I was in no frame of mind to think of what was happening with his life. I didn't care what happened to him. I was more concerned about my mother. All I can say is that he is not worthy do being a doctor.
Did you get the compensation you asked for? It may not be important to you but the punishment would have served as a deterrent to its happening to anybody else.
Here again, the last thing on my mind was to ask for compensation. After the debacle, the hospital authorities suggested we ask for compensation. My lawyers agreed upon a sum and the matter was dealt with between them. I was not involved.
How do you cope with personal tragedies?
I don't know. Even today I shudder to think of that fateful day. I am shaken up. After all I am a human being too. I have no supernatural powers to face tragedies. It is as difficult for me as for anybody else. I have gone through a lot ups and downs in life. And no, I wouldn't say every experience has made me richer. I have had the same amount of pain and sorrow every time. But I've coped with my problems because, I guess, I get my strength from God. I pray a lot. He is there fro me to help me.
After series of stressful events, don't you feel you need a break? After all you've worked enough and you have enough money to last many generations. What's holding you back?
Because I have nothing else to do but work. I'd be lost without it. Come on, this is all I've ever done. I don't know anything else. And secondly, I can't suddenly break free of my commitments. It's not the money aspect. I can't be so heartless as to leave my producers and directors in the lurch. But I''' leave very soon. Definitely very, very soon. I don't know when but I am working at it. I have already started cutting down on my assignments. Believe me, everyday I am offered 15-20 films but I refuse them.
Have you set a definite deadline for yourself?
No, I can't give a definite answer. It could be tomorrow of for all you know it could be right now. Or it could happen even after five years. Who knows?
After you leave the industry do you plan to get married right away?
Plan? No. But someday, I will have to get married. I definitely want to. I strong believe in marriage. I am just waiting for the right man.
Earlier you were emphatically in favor of your mom choosing a husband for you. What would you now prefer - a love marriage or an arranged one?
Anything. Whichever happens first, I'll go ahead. I am not against love marriages.
I don't know. Even today I shudder to think of that fateful day. I am shaken up. After all I am a human being too. I have no supernatural powers to face tragedies. It is as difficult for me as for anybody else. I have gone through a lot ups and downs in life. And no, I wouldn't say every experience has made me richer. I have had the same amount of pain and sorrow every time. But I've coped with my problems because, I guess, I get my strength from God. I pray a lot. He is there fro me to help me.
After series of stressful events, don't you feel you need a break? After all you've worked enough and you have enough money to last many generations. What's holding you back?
Because I have nothing else to do but work. I'd be lost without it. Come on, this is all I've ever done. I don't know anything else. And secondly, I can't suddenly break free of my commitments. It's not the money aspect. I can't be so heartless as to leave my producers and directors in the lurch. But I''' leave very soon. Definitely very, very soon. I don't know when but I am working at it. I have already started cutting down on my assignments. Believe me, everyday I am offered 15-20 films but I refuse them.
Have you set a definite deadline for yourself?
No, I can't give a definite answer. It could be tomorrow of for all you know it could be right now. Or it could happen even after five years. Who knows?
After you leave the industry do you plan to get married right away?
Plan? No. But someday, I will have to get married. I definitely want to. I strong believe in marriage. I am just waiting for the right man.
Earlier you were emphatically in favor of your mom choosing a husband for you. What would you now prefer - a love marriage or an arranged one?
Anything. Whichever happens first, I'll go ahead. I am not against love marriages.
Sridevi with Boney Kapoor
Would love have to culminate in marriage for you?
If I were to love somebody it has to go through the altar. No time pass for me.
What if you were to get married and then be blessed with hits? Will you continue to work?
Depends on my husband. If he says I can work, I'll work. If he wants me to leave the industry I'll happily leave. I'll do what he wants me to.
What about your wishes? Would you like to work?
I'd want to be happy because he'd matter to me. So I'll do whatever he says. No two ways about it. I feel if you love somebody, sacrifice the world for him. And I am ready to do that. I care two hoots for what people say.
What happened to Sridevi Securities Ltd. Have you resigned?
Yes, I have resigned. I couldn't give enough time the company and I though I wasn't doing justice to it. The only problem is that they are still using my name. I am having a problem with my auditors as it is presumes that I am still with the company. But now we are looking into the matter and very soon this problem will be solved.
At which point do you feel a star should retire?
a) At her peak
b) When she has nothing new to offer
c) When the audience doesn't want them anymore
I feel one should retire at one's peak. That way one leaves a good name behind..
If I were to love somebody it has to go through the altar. No time pass for me.
What if you were to get married and then be blessed with hits? Will you continue to work?
Depends on my husband. If he says I can work, I'll work. If he wants me to leave the industry I'll happily leave. I'll do what he wants me to.
What about your wishes? Would you like to work?
I'd want to be happy because he'd matter to me. So I'll do whatever he says. No two ways about it. I feel if you love somebody, sacrifice the world for him. And I am ready to do that. I care two hoots for what people say.
What happened to Sridevi Securities Ltd. Have you resigned?
Yes, I have resigned. I couldn't give enough time the company and I though I wasn't doing justice to it. The only problem is that they are still using my name. I am having a problem with my auditors as it is presumes that I am still with the company. But now we are looking into the matter and very soon this problem will be solved.
At which point do you feel a star should retire?
a) At her peak
b) When she has nothing new to offer
c) When the audience doesn't want them anymore
I feel one should retire at one's peak. That way one leaves a good name behind..
After the release of Chaand Kaa Tukdaa, in August '94, you have not had a single realize. This has never happened before. Don't you feel insecure?
I would have felt insecure if it was happening on its own. But I have d e l i b e r a t e l y planned it this way. As I told you earlier, I have cut down drastically on my assignments and I have decided do very few films so that I can ease out and ultimately retire. I want to relax. But till I find the right man and get married why leave my work?
How did you react when Madhuri said, "Sridevi is still number one"? What is your opinion?
I felt very good. It was very sweet of her to say something like this. On my part, I'd like to say that I feel she is par excellence.
How do you react when peoples' opinions change? For instance, initially Akshay was thrilled at the idea of doing Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin with you. Now it seems he doesn't even want to complete the film?
I don't agree with that at all. I don't think Akshay is a fault. From what I have heard, the director Pankaj Parashar and Akshay had some misunderstanding. That's one of the reasons the film is being delayed. Actually, in a way I am also to be blamed for this. You remember, I had an accident and was asked to take complete bed rest for a month. That month was scheduled for this film so the whole schedule went haywire. And after that, Akshay got so busy that he couldn't give time. And then, to cap it all, the producer had a financial problem. Akshay came to me and suggest he'd find somebody to finance the film, but somehow it didn't work out. The film is 80 percent complete. I know if not sooner, that later, the film will be completed.
I would have felt insecure if it was happening on its own. But I have d e l i b e r a t e l y planned it this way. As I told you earlier, I have cut down drastically on my assignments and I have decided do very few films so that I can ease out and ultimately retire. I want to relax. But till I find the right man and get married why leave my work?
How did you react when Madhuri said, "Sridevi is still number one"? What is your opinion?
I felt very good. It was very sweet of her to say something like this. On my part, I'd like to say that I feel she is par excellence.
How do you react when peoples' opinions change? For instance, initially Akshay was thrilled at the idea of doing Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin with you. Now it seems he doesn't even want to complete the film?
I don't agree with that at all. I don't think Akshay is a fault. From what I have heard, the director Pankaj Parashar and Akshay had some misunderstanding. That's one of the reasons the film is being delayed. Actually, in a way I am also to be blamed for this. You remember, I had an accident and was asked to take complete bed rest for a month. That month was scheduled for this film so the whole schedule went haywire. And after that, Akshay got so busy that he couldn't give time. And then, to cap it all, the producer had a financial problem. Akshay came to me and suggest he'd find somebody to finance the film, but somehow it didn't work out. The film is 80 percent complete. I know if not sooner, that later, the film will be completed.
Sridevi with Akshay Kumar in Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin
People say it's lonely at the top?
First of all, I don't think I have reached the top. And even if have I don't want to believe it. I have so much more to do.
Even if you want to close your eyes to it, there's no denying that you dominated the industry for several years. Does it scare you to be told that because the only option is to come down?
(Laughs loudly): Thanks for the compliment. But I do have one option. I'll retire before that happens (laughs again).
Professionally, are there any crushed desires or any dissatisfaction?
I want to do a role that has never been done before. None of the films I have done or anybody else has done has really caught my fancy. No doubt I have some very good films like Sadma, Chaalbaaz, Khuda Gawah, Lamhe and Chandni to my credit but I want something really different. Ideally, I'd like to retire only after that.
Do you think you are capable of giving more than this industry demands of a Hindi film heroine?
To be very honest, the characters I have played in the south has been much, much more challenging and exciting then what I have done here.
Which has been your best film so far.
The original version of Sadma.
First of all, I don't think I have reached the top. And even if have I don't want to believe it. I have so much more to do.
Even if you want to close your eyes to it, there's no denying that you dominated the industry for several years. Does it scare you to be told that because the only option is to come down?
(Laughs loudly): Thanks for the compliment. But I do have one option. I'll retire before that happens (laughs again).
Professionally, are there any crushed desires or any dissatisfaction?
I want to do a role that has never been done before. None of the films I have done or anybody else has done has really caught my fancy. No doubt I have some very good films like Sadma, Chaalbaaz, Khuda Gawah, Lamhe and Chandni to my credit but I want something really different. Ideally, I'd like to retire only after that.
Do you think you are capable of giving more than this industry demands of a Hindi film heroine?
To be very honest, the characters I have played in the south has been much, much more challenging and exciting then what I have done here.
Which has been your best film so far.
The original version of Sadma.
Sridevi with Kamal Hassan in Moondram Pirai
People say that to achieve something in life one has to make a lot of sacrifices. What about you? Have you scarified anything on your way to stardom?
Yes, one thing and that is my education. Though now I don't really miss at all that much.
So have all the years of hard work been worth it?
Yes. I have got so much love and respect. Tomorrow even if I go away I know I'll be remembered fondly.
You have virtually lived all your life in this industry when you retire would you keep in touch with anybody?
I'd love to, once in a while. I'd call up the people I have worked with, share wonderful memories with and we'd laugh together.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? With hubby and two kids?
(Laugh uproariously): Hey, I want to have four kids.
Sridevi's trying times are by no means over. While she was trying to make sense of the unimaginable in the corridors of Sloane Kettering, the corridors of various studios e c h o e d snide whispers of her having got secretly married to Boney Kapoor. It is not possible then, in fact, is it not most likely that, a crumbling Sri should seek to make her pillar of strength permanent? Perhaps, perhaps not. Sri bellows out a resounding "not" which should lower naughty ideas to naught.
By her own admission, life hasn't been kind to Sridevi in the recent past. Actually, the last time fortune smiled her away was in the last decade. When was Sridevi's last hit or even a wow dance number? Both prime criteria for the prime slot. Her fans may be numerous enough to shout down the bye-byes flung at her for the past three years but they don't number enough to qualify her for No.1 anymore. But so what if Sri isn't No.1 anymore? It doesn't make her any less a riveting performer, does it? But Sri had answered that more poignantly than anyone even could. "After No.1 there is only 0."
It needn't have come to that. It shouldn't. The fact is that while other actresses are like flavor of the week, Sri reminds one of unseasoned exotic. The future may well look like a question mark but what I'm sure of that whatever option she may eventually choose one thing is definite - the lioness Sridevi will never eat grass.
Yes, one thing and that is my education. Though now I don't really miss at all that much.
So have all the years of hard work been worth it?
Yes. I have got so much love and respect. Tomorrow even if I go away I know I'll be remembered fondly.
You have virtually lived all your life in this industry when you retire would you keep in touch with anybody?
I'd love to, once in a while. I'd call up the people I have worked with, share wonderful memories with and we'd laugh together.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? With hubby and two kids?
(Laugh uproariously): Hey, I want to have four kids.
Sridevi's trying times are by no means over. While she was trying to make sense of the unimaginable in the corridors of Sloane Kettering, the corridors of various studios e c h o e d snide whispers of her having got secretly married to Boney Kapoor. It is not possible then, in fact, is it not most likely that, a crumbling Sri should seek to make her pillar of strength permanent? Perhaps, perhaps not. Sri bellows out a resounding "not" which should lower naughty ideas to naught.
By her own admission, life hasn't been kind to Sridevi in the recent past. Actually, the last time fortune smiled her away was in the last decade. When was Sridevi's last hit or even a wow dance number? Both prime criteria for the prime slot. Her fans may be numerous enough to shout down the bye-byes flung at her for the past three years but they don't number enough to qualify her for No.1 anymore. But so what if Sri isn't No.1 anymore? It doesn't make her any less a riveting performer, does it? But Sri had answered that more poignantly than anyone even could. "After No.1 there is only 0."
It needn't have come to that. It shouldn't. The fact is that while other actresses are like flavor of the week, Sri reminds one of unseasoned exotic. The future may well look like a question mark but what I'm sure of that whatever option she may eventually choose one thing is definite - the lioness Sridevi will never eat grass.