Sridevi's comedy act in Gurudev

Screengrab of gorgeous Sridevi in Gurudev.

Queen of Comedy in Bollywood. 

Sridevi in white on the sets of Gurudev

Sridevi in white on the sets of the Hindi film Gurudev 

Smiles to Go: Rishi Kapoor, Sridevi and Anil Kapoor in Gurudev

Rishi Kapoor, Sridevi and Anil Kapoor on the sets of Gurudev 

Launch of Gurudevi: Anil Kapoor, Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor

A throwback to May 1988 when Gurudev, directed by actor Vinod Mehra, was launched with great fanfare with an all-star cast led by Sridevi, Anil Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. Though the men had the title roles (Guru and Dev!), the Devi had the double role; Sridevi in yet another double role. 

As a leading lady, no other actress in Indian cinema history had more double or title roles. } This is a lofty claim but we will be fact-checking this statement published recently in a paper... 

More images from this event in the archive here.

Rare stills of the cast of Gurudev: Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Kader Khan, Kiran Kumar, Danny Denzongpa

 A newspaper scan of stills from the film Gurudev. 

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi on the sets of Gurudev (1993)

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi on the sets of Gurudev 

Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi in Amsterdam, in the film Gurudev! 

Released on September 3, 1993, the film opened huge! But... 

We have a huge archive of images of the entire cast and features on the film in the archive here. 

Sridevi in Gurudev

Sridevi's look for a song and dance routine in Gurudev. 

The ear clip and short wig, leather jacket and makeup... well... It's a look. I'll say that... 

And that's all I'll say.... 

I mean, Sri's still cute. 

Released on September 3, 1993, the movie with Sridevi, Anil Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor opened huge, but the film directed by Vinod Mehra [who tragically passed away mid-production and the film was completed by his friend].... was no great shakes. 

RD Burman's songs were fun. Aasha Bhosle sang all the songs for Sridevi. 

 

Gurudev: Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor with actor turned director Vinod Mehra

Gurudev: Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor with actor turned director Vinod Mehra. 1993's big release. 

Sridevi in Gurudev

 Sridevi being oh-so-cute in Gurudev. 

Sridevi in Gurudev: The double role: The Triple threat

 

Sridevi in Gurudev

 Sridevi in Gurudev 

TBT: Stardust February 1989: How Sridevi took a Kiss to Court!

 TBT: Stardust February 1989: How Sridevi took a Kiss to Court! 

Gorgeous Sridevi on the sets of Gurudev in Amsterdam

 

Gorgeous Sridevi on the sets of Gurudev in Amsterdam

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi on the sets of Gurudev

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi on the sets of Gurudev

 

Rishi Kapoor, "Sridevi and I don't talk much on set."

Throwback to this snippet in MOVIE magazine back in February 1990.

Hello Mr. How do you do of the Month: “These are the only words Sridevi has ever spoken to me right from the Nagina days to Gurudev,” admits Rishi sheepishly. 

Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi from the bar scene in Gurudev

Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor on the sets of Gurudev. From the fab song and first few stanzas of 'Mera kaha manoge'.

The two were too cute together in this and several songs. 

Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor the centrefold: On the sets of Gurudev

Too cute! Two cute! 

Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor the centrefold: On the sets of Gurudev 
 

Sridevi and Anil Kapoor in white on the sets of Gurudev

Throwback to the early 90s, Sridevi and Anil Kapoor in white on the sets of Gurudev 

Rare pic: Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in Gurudev

 

Rare pic: Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in Gurudev 

TBT: Vinod Mehra on working with Anil Kapoor, Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor in Gurudev

Three's Company

Even as an actor he was constantly into the technicalities of film-making--enquiring, suggesting. So turning director was a very natural sequel for Vinod Mehra. His first venture, Gurudev, is nearing completion and if rumours that he ghost directed Ghar are to be believed, the new film is bound to make waves. 

Right now it's as if he's on a runaway horse--there's no way he can get off it. And he's not complaining. His Gurudev is almost seventy per cent complete, but Vinod Mehra is still as obsessed with it as he was at the beginning. "The industry will soon know that VM Productions is a banner to reckon with," he grins. 

Just back from his European schedule, the actor turned producer director is full of praise for the people he encountered there and absolutely ecstatic about the locales in Holland and Belgium where he picturised two songs. "The amusement park was more beautiful than Disneyland and the gardens were a riot of colour," Vinod recalls. Besides a fun songs picturised on Rishi and Sridevi, they also shot a "nice moody outburst" featuring all 'four stars--Rishi, Anil and two Sridevis-yes, the lady once again plays a double role in Gurudev. "The people there were very accommodating, they let us do exactly what we wanted, they just requested us to take care that we didn't obstruct the flow of tourist traffic. to be so helpful when you have such a large tourist turnover is really something. The best part of it all was that we paid practically nothing for the shooting--only the entrance fees for the unit members!" And ot think that our won humble Esselworld has reported demanded Rs.1 lakh per day for film shootings! 

Vinod Mehra admits that the story of Gurdev--that of two friends --is not new. "The novelty lies in its focus. My film observes the turmoil in their relationship. it has the underworld as its backdrop. But then, I don't deal with the small-time street-fighters. I focus on the dons. The dramatic moments in teh film are based on emotions. it's a regular commercial entertainer and as Manmohan Desai says, it's more difficult to make this kind of film that a personalised one (where a person put fs forth his own views) or one with a  message. I believe that you can convey what you want to say even in a commercial film and Gurudev holds out the view that the law is corrupt but that we can't do without it.

"Gurudev isn't an out and out action film. It's a regular big-screen entertainer with music and humour though our jokes are not your usual contorting of faces--we have situational comedy between the main stars.

"The trend for musicals is strong right now, but I don't think a musical necessarily means a love story. if the music is good and fits into the situation, it's bound to click. If Dil is a musical hit this year, so was Tridev last year."

Gurudev, planned as a quickie, has been in the making for over two years. Speculation is rife about the causes. It was said that there were problems between Anil and Rishi and that Sridevi was acting difficult after her successive hits. "That's all nonsense. All three were signed much before their recent hits. Anil and Rishi are both sweethearts and have not given me any cause for worry, nor has Sridevi. What has gone against me is destiny. First my schedule was upset because Raj Kapoor passed away., then Anil went and fractured his leg and more recently Sridevi lost her father. One can't help these things and I'd say that my stars have gone out of their way to help where they can.

"There was just one problem with Sridevi's secretary about her dates. The secretary left in November 1989 after we'd fixed the scheudules. While he put down this year's April dates in the diary, he omitted the February and March schedule, so my climax had to be postponed." 

For Vinod Mehra, Gurudev is clearly an obsession right now. He's let the director in him overrule the producer, as a result the film is almost twenty per cent overbudget. "This hasn't been a wise decision but I want to see my dream come true. People will realise that the film has been made with a vision," says the director.

The thought of turning producer struck him about five years back when his career seemed to be heading nowhere and boredom set in. He decided to try out something that might provide more fun and give free play to his imagination. So he decided to produce a film. Striking out as director seemed to be the next stop. He honestly admits, "I don't think any director would have liked to work with me, I'd keep interfering with shots and angles. In fact, the latent director in ne was responsible for goading me into making a film." 

The industry seems to feel he's given up acting but the actor in Vinod Mehra still breathes and he's open to offers. "I'll never leave acting, if they want me to do, they'll have to throw me out and if they do so they'll be the losers, at my age (40) I can be pushed into any role!"

If he's so keen on acting why didn't he carve out a role for himself in Gurudev? "I'll never be able to act and direct simultaneously. There is a third hero in my film, but I preferred to cast Kader Khan in the role. I've give him a totally different image in the film." 

VM Productions, the actor-director says, is there to stay. He's already working on another story and plans to produce and direct the film. "I'll take on an outside director only if I'm convinced he can do more justice to the subject." meanwhile, as a special favour, he's helping out by directing a film that was to be made by Bhaskar Reddy who passed away. He has had many outside offers but has refused them all. "I'm not a professional director."

As a new director, the going hasn't been easy. He's had to learn through trial and error and admits that direction involves far too many headaches, acting is much more exciting. But, he feels, the film will prove it's been worth the trouble. "When I release the film in May next year, (all territories wee sold the day the film was announced) the industry will realise that a new showman has arrived." 

Meera Joshi

Filmfare, October 1990

Postscript:

- Sadly, Vinod Mehra passed away soon after this interview was published in Filmfare magazine on October 30, 1990 in Mumbai! 

- Director Raj Sippy completed the film and it was released years later in 1993.

- The film opened well and broke even, it just wasn't a blockbuster as anticipated.