In the 1980s, she was one of the few (if not the only!) female film producers in Bollywood, the formidable Sattee Shourie - seen here at the launch of Farishtay with her leading lady Sridevi and the film's director Anil Sharma (who went on to make the megahit Gadar decades later). The film was launched on August 29,1987 - but released four years later on 22 February 1991!
These images are rare and quite a find - for many reasons.
Sattee Shourie was a headstrong lady who didn't mince words - or actions. She gave a defiant interview to Lehrein when she was asked if she had once slapped the director Anil Sharma for the mismanaged shoot of Farishtay (which dragged on for several years and went over-budget beyond belief). She said, No, she didn't slap Anil Sharma once, she slapped him twice! And then gave a expletive-ridden answer on TV.
Sridevi was seen as a savior of sorts at the time as the film had gone through some financial trouble but when she signed on, the purse-strings loosened a bit more from financiers. Sattee spoke at length at how wonderful Sridevi was to work with and what a disciplined and great actress she repeatedly proved herself to be.
At the launch of the movie, the always-busy Number One Star rushed from the sets of Ram Avtar to make a brief appearance at the party. The shy superstar was mostly averse to attending public functions but appeared on the behest of Sattee Shourie.
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Above: Dharmendra, Sridevi and Vinod Khanna in Farishtay
Above: Film producer Sattee Shourie, Sridevi and film director Anil Sharma
A decade later, the stars misaligned when... well, Mona Kapoor was married to Boney Kapoor. Mona was Sattee Shourie's daughter. That's all we have to say. Sattee Shourie on the other hand, had a lot more to say back in 1997 but... why bring that up now when all three are no longer with us.
It's funny how tides turn in time. And especially in Bollywood.
