Rishi Kapoor, "Sridevi is a perfect actor"

One of the best Indian actors - ever - Rishi Kapoor has co-starred with Sridevi in several memorable films throughout the 1980s and '90s. Not only has he praised his shy co-star over the years, he did so yet again on his highly follow-able (should there be such a phrase in the new twitt-era) twitter handle @Chinskap. We encourage all to follow his funny, ranty, kind, clever, fun, funny twitter link.



rishi kapoor ‏@chintskap Sep 7

Seeing the wonderful Sridevi doing"Nau-Nau Choodiyan"from Chandni. How time has just flown. Remember you Yashji.What a winner in dire times

Earlier in Vogue, India, he said about Sri:

Rishi Kapoor, actor
We met at the mahurat [launch] of our first film together, Nagina [1986]. She was very reserved, the sort who kept to herself and her family. When we were shooting one of the songs, the film ran out, the magazines were being changed, and when that happens there's an awkward moment when the lights are still on. She told me, "Sir, I saw your film Khel Khel Mein four times," and I replied, saying, "Thank you very much." And that was it. That was the only conversation we had during the making of the whole film.

Rishi Kapoor, T. Subbarami Reddy (producer), Vinod Khanna, Anupam Kher and Yash Chopra on the sets of Chandni

By the time we started work on Chandni [1989], she was a changed person. She had developed confidence, panache, and even a sense of ease in talking to people. It showed on-screen. She was absolutely mesmerising in that film. She even sang [a part of the] song 'Chandni O Meri Chandni', even though she wasn't very fluent with the language. But Sridevi could pull it off with such aplomb.

She's one artist I've worked with in my time who's perfect in song sequences, comic timing, emotional scenes—she's a perfect actor. She's not simply a glamour girl. She is a consummate professional. She fits every bill. That's what makes Sridevi the star she is.

It's a difficult task to reconcile your legacy with what the audience expects of you today. But Sridevi has accomplished that. See, I may be playing a character actor, but she's not. She’s still playing the lead.