Filmmaker Boney Kapoor has offered a glimpse into the business side of his early relationship with his late wife, the legendary Sridevi. A viral clip from a popular show sees Kapoor candidly discussing how he handled Sridevi’s professional fees, a key element in their journey together.
Kapoor revealed a particular negotiation where Sridevi’s mother asked for INR 10 lakhs as her daughter’s remuneration. Boney Kapoor, however, increased the offer to INR 11 lakhs. This was during the production of ‘Joshilaay,’ a film where Sridevi was a sought-after actress. Kapoor’s strategy also involved ensuring his brother was cast opposite a leading lady, making Sridevi a prime candidate.
He narrated his first meeting with Sridevi in Mumbai, where she directed him to speak with her mother regarding the financial terms. A subsequent meeting with her mother in Chennai, despite language challenges, proved fruitful. Kapoor deciphered her mother’s asking price of ’10 rupees’ as a considerable INR 10 lakhs. Knowing Sridevi’s last signed film was for INR 8.5 lakhs, Kapoor’s initial thought was to offer INR 9 lakhs. Yet, he ultimately offered INR 11 lakhs, a move that visibly surprised her mother. He also readily agreed to cover staff expenses, increasing the total remuneration.
Kapoor also spoke about his involvement in getting Sridevi signed for Yash Chopra’s iconic film ‘Chandni.’ He successfully negotiated her fee to INR 15 lakhs. He continued this practice of exceeding expectations, mentioning how he would sometimes offer more than the asked price and set future fee benchmarks. For the film ‘Khuda Gawah,’ he confirmed, Sridevi’s professional charge was INR 25 lakhs, reflecting her escalating stardom.
Sridevi’s immense contribution to Indian cinema is well-documented. Her tragic death in Dubai on February 24, 2018, at the age of 54, left an indelible mark on the industry and her millions of admirers. Investigations concluded her death was due to accidental drowning, exacerbated by cardiac arrest.
