For actor Adil Hussain the impact of watching Sridevi in Sadma (1983) as a viewer was such that he could not eat after it ended and was left depressed. He reveals that he was in awe of Sridevi while shooting for English Vinglish (2012) with the late actor, where he played her husband. When Hussain shared his thoughts with her about Sadma, he says she had tears in her eyes.

“English Vinglish is one of the pillars of my work in the film industry, that established me in the hearts of the Indian masses. (Director) Gauri Shinde made the film from her heart. Also Sridevi’s contribution to the role, the film, made it what it was. It’s rare that all characters in a film get to shine. Often, it’s about the hero or heroine,” he shares.

For Hussain, one scene will particularly be etched in his memory - the climax, where Sridevi’s character, Shashi, delivers a monologue about the ridicule she faced all her life courtesy her husband and children. “We were shooting in New York, and everyone was wearing jackets because it was cold. But Sridevi was shivering as she couldn’t and would deliver the scene, and immediately be covered the moment cut was said. I felt so bad for her,” he rues.

His character, though not the antagonist, does ridicule his wife for her poor English skills. He says the audiences loved it, “because we all grew up in a male chauvinistic patriarchal house and they could immediately recognize that this character could be their husband or brother.”