The Sridevi Centrefold: On the sets of Chandni: Photography Rakesh Shreshta

 

Hindi Original: आज श्रीदेवी क्या इसलिए बड़ी मेहनत से पैसा बटोर रही हैं कि किसी और के विचारों पर चलती रहें? क्या श्रीदेवी अपने परिवार की गुलाम हैं? उनके अपने विचार हैं भी या नहीं? क्या ये नंबर वन महज ग्लैमर का रंगीन धुआं भर है? 

English Translation: Is Sridevi working so hard to rake in money today just to keep living by someone else's terms? Is Sridevi a slave to her own family? Does she even have thoughts of her own, or not? Is this "Number One" status merely a colorful smoke of glamour? 

Hindi: छाया : राकेश श्रेष्ठ 

English: Photo: Rakesh Shrestha 

Sridevi in MOVIE magazine: Feb 1995

The look first appeared in MOVIE magazine, Feb 1995 issue.

Sridevi, 31, in a dazzling sari, styled with traditional jewellery but with a modern twist in her hair. Gorgeous Sri. 

By 1995, the sun had set on the once imperious Sridevian era. One too many expensive flops, the youth uprising of the Karishma, Manisha, Raveena... able performances (both in box-office and acting) by Juhi and Madhuri and, gasp... not a single Sridevi film release in 1995 since 1969!

But once a queen, always a queen. She still dazzled, there were still stellar performances down the pipeline and she rose above the waves and low tides of hits and flops... with her sense of humour intact; "How can I promote Nagarjuna, when I need someone to promote me?" said the longest lasting Number One actress of her and ALL time! 

The Sridevi centrefold: How Amitabh Bachchan sent Sridevi a truckload - not a bouquet - of flowers!

If Khuda Gawah was shot the way it was originally cast, it would have had Amitabh Bachchan and Dimple Kapadia, Sanjay Dutt and Farah Khan! But from initial talk to film release, everything about the movie changed - as we discover from film magazines from the late 1980s. 

Excerpt: 
 

"... used no such bait to lure the reluctant Empress into signing the film. Says Desai, "When negotiations broke down with Dimple, I wanted to sign Sridevi, but I was hesitant because I'd heard that she'd been turning down films with Amitabh. I didn't want her to refuse my offer (being chairman of the Amitabh Fan Club, obviously he wanted to do nothing that would embarrass Bachchan) but when I sounded her, I got no negative vibes. I met her again and explained how the film had two angles - she was to play both Amitabh and Sanjay Dutt's girlfriends. She seemed very keen to do the film. 

In fact, her enthusiasm surprised me. So, I asked her if it was true that she'd been turning down films with Amitabh and she denied ever having done that. She maintained that it was a false rumour - that she'd never said she would never work with 'Amitji' and that all she'd ever demanded was a substantial role in any film offered to her. And since most Bachchan films were a one-man show, there was nothing for her to do in those films, and now since we were offering her a good role, she was willing to do it."

Desai found it all very 'reasonable'. But it isn't as simple as he makes it out to be. Her 'reasonableness' seems to be a very recent occurrence. Earlier, when Shashi Kapoor had approached Sridevi for an important role in his prestigious Ajooba, she'd asked him precisely what her role in the film would be. When an excited Shashi began narrating the film's story to her, she is said to have cut him short with a 'Look, why don't you come down to Madras and narrate the story to my father? If he likes it then you can discuss the money with my mother'. Naturally, Shashi didn't pursue the matter any further.

Amitabh was quick to grab the initiative for a reconciliation. Impressed by Sridevi's riveting dance in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, he sent her a truckload of flowers and a warm note. Sridevi, not impervious to his charm and the diktat of the box-office, conveniently succumbed...."

Photographer Ravi posts rare pic of Sridevi, Balu Mahendra and Kamal Haasan

 

Photographer Ravi posted these rarely seen stills from the making of Moondram Pirai. Kamal Haasan and Sridevi did the vocals for the song Narikathai in the film, where the exceptional music was composed by the legend Ilaiyaraaja.  

In the album, the profound "Kanne Kalaimaane," written by Kannadasan, sung by Kerala's greatest Yesudas haunts us till date. 

Sridevi and Salman Khan on the sets of Chandra Mukhi: 90s!

Making faces... Sridevi and Salman Khan

On the sets of the ill-fated, written by Salman Khan, 1990s children's fantasy... Chandra Mukhi. 

Salman Khan and Sridevi's... rare misfire. 

Khabardar: The Lost 1984 Epic That Almost Reunited Indian Cinema’s Superstars: Jaya Prada, Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi and Kamal Haasan!

Two days ago, Filmfare's social media handle on Instagram posted this rarely seen clear cut image from their vast archives (which they really should digitally remaster and post online to preserve the precious chapters of Bollywood history), this rare photo of what I believe is the mahurat/launch of the sadly shelved film Khabardaar. Back in 1984, this was a the pan-Indian film in the making with an all-star cast of North and South superstars Jaya Prada, Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi and Kamal Haasan. 

More in the archive here - images, features etc.

Of course you'll be bound to ask, why such a movie with legends all was put on hold (forever!)? Well, much has been left to speculation. Legend has it the lack of discipline, chaotic schedules, re-writes of script, the lack of script!, et al bothered Kamal Haasan enough that he walked out of the movie. What really happened? We'll never really truly know. There were other rumours floating too. 

In 1984, Indian cinema came tantalisingly close to delivering a casting coup for the ages. Khabardar, helmed by director T. Rama Rao and producer A. Purnachandra Rao under Lakshmi Productions, brought together Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Jaya Prada. Despite mounting excitement, the film evaporated into celluloid legend, leaving film historians to piece together what might have been.

Conceived as a poignant, high-stakes drama on euthanasia, echoing the emotional depth of Bachchan's earlier hit and critically acclaimed Anand, the narrative pitted Bachchan as a compassionate doctor against Haasan as a terminally ill patient seeking to end his life. Production moved at a brisk pace, with approximately half of the film completed [allegedly] before principal photography ground to an abrupt, permanent halt.

The undoing of Khabardar lay in its climax. As shooting progressed, Bachchan reportedly harboured reservations about the narrative balance. Haasan’s tragic, emotionally charged death scene threatened to completely overshadow the narrative, leaving audiences with an indelible memory of the patient while diminishing the doctor's impact. When creative negotiations over reworking the script reached a stalemate, Bachchan stepped away to preserve his screen persona, prompting the producers to shelve the project entirely.

The fallout, however, reshaped mid-80s commercial cinema. To compensate Rao for the financial losses of shelving Khabardar, Bachchan committed bulk dates to a replacement project. That deal yielded the 1986 blockbuster Aakhree Raasta (also directed by T. Rama Rao and the same production team), while Bachchan and Haasan eventually shared the screen in Geraftar (1985).

For us fans, look at that stellar star-cast!! Khabardar remains one of Indian cinema’s most tantalising "what ifs", a half-finished movie preserved only in rare archival stills and industry lore. 

BTW let's not blame Big B alone for the shelving of this movie, Kamal Haasan's famed ego back in the 80s was something else too. Just ask any of his paramours and wives... 

Farha's rampage against the team behind Khuda Gawah: April 1989

 

Throwback to April 1989, MOVIE magazine, this scathing feature on the drama behind the scenes of Khuda Gawah - long before the first shot was canned. Farha [Naaz, actress and Tabu's sister!] was always a fiery actress who made no bones about the industry or its people. She gave the saltiest interviews and snapped back at anyone who stepped on her toes. This fiery exchange is... on par with her past explosive interviews. 

No other Devis or Sridevi were harmed in this feature! 

FARHA DECLARES WAR ON MUKUL!

A Bachchan starrer. And Farha has thrown it up! To avenge Mukul Anand. Is Mukul straight? Is Farha on a self-destructive trip? Who’s deceiving whom?

Farha has always been an outspoken girl. One who acts on impulse and does not brood over her actions later. So I was extremely surprised when I met her, recently and she told me that she was planning a showdown with Mukul Anand.

Her reasons were personal. What had sparked off her anger was Mukul’s statement, which she repeated angrily. "Mukul had the guts to say, he does not need me but that I need him. Balls I need anybody,” she erupted. Farha felt, Mukul was being ungrateful. Considering she had consented to work for Mukul’s film Ek Hindustani in her bad days. (It’s another story that the film did not go beyond the 'muhurat' stage). "He should have remembered at least that occasion,” she scoffed highly offended.

And now in his good time, Mukul was paying more than enough attention to his other heroine of Khuda Gawah and giving Farha the cold shoulder. But Farha has never been one to take things lying down. To get her back she had worked out a definite strategy. "I will play hard to get and won't give him proper dates. Just about the time the film reaches midway, I'll walk out. This is the only way I can teach that creep a lesson. It’s that the day he will also realise that he needs Farha for his film, I want him to grovel on his knees.” The beautiful actress revealed her plan to me excitedly, running her fingers through her locks.

The problem between them started form the time the muhurat cards of Khuda Gawah were printed. "I was given the lowest billing. My name was the last among the stars, as if I do not have any standing of my own in the industry,” she explained furiously. Hurt to the core, she continued, "That's the reason why I did not attend the muhurat though I was very much in town, I have never felt more humiliated in my entire life."

But couldn't she solve the matter amicably with the man, openly accusing Mukul? I argued. "Manoj is a friend and that’s why I was doing the film. I know that bloody Mukul must have convinced him to put my name last,” she remarked knowingly.

Though Farha could not pinpoint the exact reason for this misdemeanor on Mukul's part, she guessed it must be her refusal to play upto him. "Just because he is directing Amitabh in three films, everybody goes Mukulji. Mukulji and will nod their heads in agreement to everything he says. They are all hypocrites, but I am muphat [outspoken] and can't become a dummy to please him.” She was indignant.

Farha refused to acquiesce to the fact that losing out on a Bachchan starrer would be detrimental to her career. "I don’t need an Amitabh starrer to make it big. After all, I can only play his daughter. In Khuda Gawah I am one,” She further argued, justifying her move. "There is no guarantee that the Amitabh film will do well. It's destiny. And I have over fifty films now, which shows that people do want me.” So she prefers to resign herself to her fate and work with B. R. Ishara and S. R. Pratap rather than accept Mukul Anand’s neglect.

Mukul: "No actor can alter the script, if the director is confident of his work. And I gave her my word."

Farha: "I want Mukul to grovel on his knees."

She agreed that her role in Khuda Gawah was important, but feared it could become inconsequential by the time the film was complete. Mukul could play dirty with her, in the light of his sudden dismissal of Shaheen. Sridevi wanted to do Shaheen’s role too. Sridevi is now doing a double role in the film. Later, it could have washed off my role also and would have been a glorified extra. I know that he is capable of doing it."

Nothing could dissuade her, I felt. But it seems later better sense prevailed and Farha who is actually quite soft-hearted despite her strong fiery words, staged a walk-out, even before she had shot for a day, making things easier for Mukul. Though reportedly, she had her showdown with Mukul and I don't know what exactly she told him.

When contacted, Farha was, outstation, shooting. Boyfriend Vindoo negated the news vehemently. According to him there was no showdown. An amicable parting with Manoj Desai, the producer. "Farha explained her problems..."

Movie • April 1989

POSTSCRIPT: Well, Shilpa Shirodkar ended up playing the other part, Sridevi had the double role - from the onset. Farha married Vindu Dara Singh in 1996 and divorced him 2002/2003. She went on to marry actor Sumeet Saigal and rarely works on film.  And tragically, the talented Mukul Anand died on September 7, 1997, at the young age of 45.