The Drama behind Damini: Did you know Sridevi was going to do the Telugu version?

Sridevi, she of infinite-talent and artistry, also had the mind of an executive producer. Happy with the results of Gumrah, there were plans to make it in Telugu, but it didn't materialise. But that certainly wasn't Sridevi's first attempt at producing a movie - even before that, Sridevi loved the script of Damini and wanted to make it in her mothertongue. But things didn't work out for... innumerable reasons. 

Many know of Damini's complicated history, but here's a reminder. A rock-solid script and movie, the film originally featured Meenakshi Seshadri who sank her teeth into the role. So mesmerised by his leading lady, the film's writer/director Rajkumar Santoshi proposed to the actress--according to the grapevine--and she, shocked, declined. 

The bruised ego, Santoshi ousted her out of the film and sent the script to several leading ladies, perhaps most notably to Madhuri Dixit. Rumours were, even Sridevi, Raveena Tandon and Juhi Chawla were approached, but none of the ladies ever spoke of it. Knowing the circumstances, Madhuri Dixit refused to sign the dotted line, knowing Meenakshi deserved better. The two had worked in two films in the past and Dixit had only fond memories of her senior co-star. Unethical to do a film that was meant for another lady, Madhuri Dixit graciously and gracefully refused to work with Santoshi at the time--despite the role being what it was. When the dust settled and some time had passed, the project took off again with the intended cast of Meenakshi Seshadri, Rishi Kapoor and a memorable scene-stealing (albeit loud!) Sunny Deol. 

Damini was a good film and Meenakshi deserved more accolades and trophies for it. A year after the release, despite great reviews and decent box-office, she however lost out the Best Actress Filmfare to Juhi Chawla (for the fun and frothy Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke) and it was 'the' talk of the town. The jury was split on who to favour, but the tides had turned. Award shows were no long a meritocracy but enslaved to TRPs and star-wattage for viewership/ad revenue. Juhi was the bigger star, younger, and had a line-up of top films in the early 1990s, while, truth be told, Meenakshi's stardom was fading and her glory-days of the 80s (when she was working with Yash Chopra and Subhash Ghai) had considerably dimmed. Film magazines called her box-office poison for her hits were few and far between, and they called her ice-maiden and... well, among other uncharitable refrains. Film journalism in Bombay (pre-MumbaI) was a hellscape of gossip, innuendo, name-calling and blatant lies. Remember when they stated that a top actor had AIDS? Or implied two leading men were in a covert relationship? Or every star was having an affair with every other?! The erudite Meenakshi didn't take any flak and spoke out against yellow journalism. After the career-defining lightning role and then loss at the award show, she slowly but surely eased out of movies and chose marriage, motherhood and NRI status instead. 

Nearly 29 years after her last film release (Ghatak in 1996 BTW for those keeping track!). now the actress has been sending out smoke signals to make a comeback of sorts, doing innumerable interviews, reliving the past and reminding others she's around and open to work. Well, at 61, ageist, sexist film industry hasn't extended a welcoming hand, but of course played lip service to her time and tenure in Bollywood. We are all suckers for nostalgia aren't we?! None of her co-stars are in any position to cast her and her former producers have either passed away or passed the baton forward to next gen--who do not have the same fandom for her erstwhile performances. Television and OTT has provided employment to many a star of varying vintage but, so far, apart from the occasional appearance on reality TV judging show, the former Miss India, classical dancer and actor remains twiddling her thumbs. Waiting.