Boney Kapoor, a prominent figure in Bollywood, has unearthed a fascinating anecdote concerning his early professional dealings with his late wife, the legendary Sridevi. A recently re-emerging video captures Kapoor detailing how he navigated the financial aspects of signing Sridevi, showcasing his business acumen before their marriage.
Kapoor shared that Sridevi’s mother initially set her fee at INR 10 lakh. However, Kapoor, with the intention of securing Sridevi for a film where his brother would be her co-star, offered INR 11 lakh. He recounted his first meeting with Sridevi in Mumbai, where she guided him to discuss terms with her mother.
Later, when Kapoor met Sridevi’s mother in Chennai, he found a way to communicate effectively despite not knowing Hindi or English. He correctly interpreted her reference to ’10 rupees’ as a fee of INR 10 lakh. Having done his due diligence and knowing Sridevi had recently signed a film for INR 8.5 lakh, Kapoor decided to increase his offer from a potential INR 9 lakh to INR 11 lakh, which elicited a surprised reaction from her mother. He also agreed to a higher sum for associated staff costs.
Kapoor’s strategic approach extended to future projects. He facilitated Sridevi’s signing for ‘Chandni’ at INR 15 lakh, with Yash Chopra’s involvement. For ‘Khuda Gawah’, he preemptively negotiated a fee of INR 25 lakh, demonstrating his long-term vision for Sridevi’s career and market standing.
Sridevi, an enduring icon of Indian cinema, tragically passed away in 2018. Her untimely death in Dubai, ruled as accidental drowning with contributing factors including heart failure, left an indelible mark on the film industry and her vast fan base.