Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 13, 2020)

“Jaya Prada had refused two films with Anil (Kapoor), Meri Jung and Joshilaay. Sridevi replaced her in the latter, and I immediately flew to Chennai to sign her for a film I wanted to produce with Anil and her. She’d been paid Rs 8 lakh for Joshilaay, her mother quoted Rs 10 lakh. I told her I’d pay her Rs 11 lakh and noticed her mother and aunt exchange looks, wondering about this fool from Mumbai,” laughs Boney Kapoor, adding that he was then told that he’d have to pay her staff Rs 30,000 and put them up at a hotel near hers. “I sealed the deal saying I’d pay them Rs 50,000 and put them up at the same hotel as her. And returned home with 65-70 days, double the dates Sridevi usually allotted for a film.”

She eventually doled out 130 because Mr India took 320 days to complete. The producer shares that just the Charlie Chaplin sequence, which started as a 2-3 minute gag, was shot for a month at R K Studios. Another two weeks was spent on “Hawa Hawai” while “Kaate Nahin Kat Te”, took 19 days. The latter is one of the most sensuous songs in Hindi cinema, Sridevi looking like a dream in a blue sari. Boney reveals that she wasn’t supposed to wear a sari earlier, but after seeing a song from Feroz Khan’s then unreleased Janbaaz, he raved to his director, Shekhar Kapur, that she looked stunning draped in pink and yellow. “I also remembered how gorgeous Sharmila Tagore had looked in Talash and Shekhar promised that our song would be better than any other,” he recounts.

After a really bad experience with crowds while promoting one of her South films, Sridevi had shied away from public appearance. Boney cajoled her to perform “Hawa Hawai” to promote their film at Hope ’86, a charity event to raise funds for the film industry. “She was nervous, but being a professional, Sri agreed. She also danced with Anil on the title track of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja at the film’s mahurat at Hotel Holiday Inn, which coincided with Mr India’s silver jubilee bash. In the audience was Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Bal Thackeray, Rajinikanth and Nagarjuna to name a few,” he narrates.

Roop Ki Rani ... took a little under 400 days to finish. “I had put Satish (director Satish Kaushik) and Baba (cinematographer Baba Azmi) on a monthly remuneration since they were also working on Prem. When she heard this, Sri believed that’s why the film was taking so long,” Boney guffaws. The reasons were many, one of them being Baba Azmi’s observation on the day “Dushman Dil Ka Jo Hai Mere” was to be shot, that the colour of the set merged with her costume. The producer changed the entire set design in a couple of days.

“Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan) saw the song at a trial and sent Sri a truckload of flowers, while Satish got a letter requesting that the next time he got a great script, he should think of him,” Boney reminisces, admitting that it was Sridevi who had suggested he buy the remake rights of the ’94 Telugu film, Subhalagnam. He was quick to oblige even though Anil was initially reluctant to play a man bartered by two wives.

Boney reveals that Karisma Kapoor was the first choice for Judaai while Urmila Matondkar was to do Yash Chopra’s Dil To Pagal Hai. “There was a last minute switch as Urmila entered our film. Sri and I named our firstborn Janhvi after her character,” he smiles, recalling how they’d shot “Pyaar Pyaar Karte Karte” in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and even a ‘graveyard’ in the desert where aircrafts are parked. “The director (Raj Kanwar) wasn’t there, but I’d taken my stylist, Manish Malhotra, along and he ensured we had a new costume for Anil, Sri, and Urmila after every cut,” he informs.

For another shoot in Nevada’s Valley Of Fire, Sridevi was air-dropped on top of a mountain and stood there all day, as they took helicopter shots. “The thorny bushes were full of insects, but there was not a murmur of protest. She was amazing, one of the greatest actresses of all time,” Boney raves about his actress-wife.

They were to work together in Shakti: The Power too, till Sridevi learned she was pregnant with Khushi. Then, Kajol opted out to plan a family too, while Preity Zinta’s dates were blocked for Shankar’s film featuring Kamal Haasan. “Finally, Karisma, who couldn’t do Judaai, did Shakti,” informs Boney.

The couple’s last collaboration was Mom in 2017 and Boney recalls that during shoots in Georgia and Delhi, Sridevi would insist on separate rooms so she could continue to live the character even after pack-up. “After we had shot 70-80 per cent of the film, she and the director (Ravi Udyawar) conspired to get A R Rahman on board to do the background score too. When my co-producers insisted we had no budget, they both took a cut in their remuneration. That’s how passionate she was about Mom. It fetched her the National Award for Best Actress, her first. Our daughters received it on her behalf while I looked on, knowing she was watching us from above,” he says emotionally.

Had they discussed any other film before her untimely demise? “We were toying with several ideas but hadn’t finalised anything. But Balki and Gauri (Shinde) had discussed the sequel of English Vinglish with her,” Boney shares as we raise a toast to Sridevi who’d have turned 57 today.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 21, 2019)

Versatile actress, skilled dancer, style icon and one of Bollywood’s original oomph queens, Urmila Matondkar — now a politician — is also an eloquent speaker. Fiercely private about her personal life, Urmila made an exception as she opened her heart and the doors of her beautiful house, in the city for us, for an uninhibited chat on politics, marriage, films and religion. Excerpts from the conversation:

Not many actors have been successful politicians. When you announced your foray into politics, many believed you did it since your movie career, too, was long over.
Yes, politics is not everyone’s cup of tea. But there were people like Sunil Dutt as well, who did well in politics. It’s the intention that matters. I can’t speak for others, who couldn’t sustain in politics, but I can speak for myself. I didn’t want to cash in on my celebrity image. If that was the intention, I wouldn’t have campaigned the way I did. I wouldn’t have gone out all the way to reach out to people. Whether I win or lose, I intend to do the work I have promised to do. To say that I entered politics because my film career is over, is a petty way of looking at it. There’s nothing that politics can give me that I didn’t have before. I don’t get swept by what people think as it reflects their intellect.

In 2016, you married Kashmiri model-turned-businessman Mohsin Akhtar Mir in a private ceremony. The wedding was a low-key affair and you went completely off the radar post it.
I don’t like to talk about my personal life. I was never on the radar. I have always been a reclusive actor, who has believed in letting my work speak for itself. I joined Instagram pretty late, that too, on my husband’s suggestion, who felt that this would be a great way to keep in touch with my fans. I have always been a private person, so even my marriage was a low-key affair.

How did you meet Mohsin and what drew you to him?
We met at Manish Malhotra’s (fashion designer) niece’s wedding. A lot of Kashmiri work that is used by Manish comes from Mohsin’s factory. He is into handicrafts and artwork of Kashmir, so he been working with Manish for many years now. That’s how they met and that’s how we met. He is confident, yet easy-going. Mohsin is sure of himself without being cocky about it and has those things which I feel are important in a companion. We hit it off instantly.

There was speculation over you converting to Islam after marriage, which didn’t turn out to be true.
That was in bad taste. That’s the kind of politics I don’t appreciate. First of all, how does it matter? The kind of person I am, I have always done things my way and with my head held high. I am proud of who I am, and I am not saying I am infallible, but I have never done things that I would be ashamed of. The kind of industry that I was in (films), it takes a lot to not be dragged into toxicity, backbiting, negativity, gossip and bitching. I have never done all of this, so this (religious conversion news) appalled me the most. I am a Hindu. That’s the religion I have followed, but I believe in Hinduism in a wider sense, not the kind of Hinduism that’s sold to us today. Even if I had converted to Islam, I would have said it with as much pride. However, it’s none of anyone’s business. I am not just talking about the secular fabric of the country because I am married to a Muslim. Contrary to that, because I always believed in it, I was open enough to marry a man of a different faith.

I wouldn’t have responded to these speculations and dignified them otherwise, but because I was a candidate contesting an election, it was my duty to clarify things. I owed it to the people. People ask me about being a Maharashtrian, a Mumbaikar and seeing others coming into the city. But that’s the beauty of it. Religion and region are secondary. I think humanity and Indianness are the only way to progress. The country needs to be in harmony.

It’s only now that people have discovered that you are an eloquent speaker.
Films were the most beautiful part of my life, but they were not the be-all and end-all of my life. People are surprised to know that I read a lot. I have been an excellent student and I come from an academically-oriented family. It’s my time to help those who supported me, irrespective of who I was, where I came from, or what my surname was. There came a chance and I took it up. Whether I win or lose, those who showed confidence in me, I will always stand by them.

Will we see you in the movies sometime soon?
I don’t think that acting in films is a possibility in the near future. Politics is a new field for me, and I have never done anything in a haphazard manner. Plus, it deals with people’s lives. I don’t want to do 50 things at a time.

You were an outsider when you joined the film industry. Do you think that the dialogue and debate about nepotism, which has unfolded over the last few years, should have happened before?
Certain things won’t change. If you have to make your way, you have to make your way. I never spoke about it then and I won’t speak about it now. These things only take away your energy and bring nothing to the table. I am not one of those people who make statements to be in the news. I am extremely happy and satisfied with the way I conducted my career and what I could achieve. I constantly stuck my neck out and did films and roles that were hugely unconventional. There may have been actresses of my era who were more successful than I was, but I doubt if anyone has shown the kind of range that I have, in terms of genres or characters that I chose.

You were a style icon in the ’90s. What do you make of fashion in Bollywood today with all the stylists and the PR machinery that goes with it?
I didn’t do it to make a statement. There is no negativity or bitterness for what’s happening today. I have said no to 50 Rangeelas after Rangeela and 50 Judaais after Judaai. I never repeated my characters. People were shocked to see the horror films that I did at the time. When Kaun didn’t do well, they told me not to continue with the genre, but I insisted that we shouldn’t doubt the intellect of the audience. As far as style is concerned, I find this whole thing (stylist-PR) a bit funny. Your personality needs to stand out, of course, if you have one. I genuinely feel that maybe it’s the need of the hour, but I can’t relate to this process.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; August 11, 2017)

The failure of some recent highly-anticipated biggies has had a Domino Effect on Anees Bazmee’s family-oriented comedy Mubarakan which is well on the way to becoming one of the bigger successes of the year.

The film opened on a lower scale and went on to become bigger with each passing day. In the following week of the release, additional shows were added in several centres. Despite reduced screens in the second week, the film continues its triumphant march at the box office with rock steady collections even on working weekdays — a phenomenon that has taken industry pundits by surprise.

So, what’s the secret of this startling turn-around? Says trade guru Komal Nahta, “It’s a good film and is growing due to a great word of mouth. Traditionally, Anil Kapoor has never been known to be an initialwaala star. The flopping of other films released during the same period has also helped Mubarakan remain steady in the second week.”

Trade analyst Atul Mohan adds, “Mubarakan is a family entertainer, or as we say, paisa vasool. Such movies do take time to grow. The release of Jab Harry Met Sejal in the subsequent week did put Mubarakan on the back seat for a couple of days, but at the end of the day, good content always works in the long run. The cinema-hungry audience felt the film is worth their money. In Mubarakan’s case, it’s all about slow and steady winning the race!”

Anil, who is one of the highlights of Mubarakan, isn’t surprised by this turn of events at the ticket counters. He says, “Mubarakan is not my first film that had a low start at the box office. My other films like Judaai, Taal and No Entry had a subdued start too and went on to become big successes. I’ve never looked for instant success. I really enjoyed my character; Kartar Singh is destined to be iconic just like my characters in Mr India, No Entry, Nayak, Ram Lakhan and TV series, 24. I played characters in these films who are remembered to this day. Even now people call me Lakhan from Ram Lakhan or Kishen from No Entry.”

Arjun Kapoor who is also receiving praises for his portrayal of Karan and Charanjit in the film, says, “Every film finds its audience and Mubarakan has been defying the odds and sustaining because of the love of the audience nationwide.”

Boney Kapoor shares PERSONAL memories from his 33-year association with his wife, Sridevi
Upala KBR (DNA; March 16, 2017)

When Mom, starring Sridevi releases on July 14 this year, it will mark over three decades of the actress and her husband, producer Boney Kapoor’s professional association and 22 years as a couple. Not much is known about their love story, except that he was a married man when they fell in love. In an exclusive, Boney shares some cherished memories of his 30-year association with the enigma called Sridevi.

“I met her for the first time in 1984. I was besotted with her, right from my first meeting with her. She was shooting for another film when I went to meet her to sign her for Mr India. Before that, I had sent somebody to Chennai to connect with her, after watching one of her Tamil films, but she was in Singapore at the time. Her first Hindi film Sadma and after that, Himmatwala (1980) had released. When I met her, I remember I did all the talking, while she kept saying, ‘Talk to my mom...’”

He continues, “I can speak volumes on my memories with her... This can go on for the full day... All I can say is, that the minute I saw her, I said to myself, ‘She has to anyhow be in my life and I have to make sure she remains with me all my life.’ I have learned a lot from her in terms of being sincere, professional and giving her best, but what I admire and respect about her is her approach to life and how she presents herself. Have you come across anything wrong about her? Sridevi has always been absolutely correct in life and is dignity personified, in the way she carries herself. Nor has she ever said a wrong word against anybody.”

“When I heard the story line and subject of Mom, I could only think of Sridevi in the title role. She has a mind of her own, so I was hoping she would like the story and sign my film. After English Vinglish, she had various offers and while some of them seemed very attractive to me, she wasn’t keen. But she loved the story of Mom and gave the nod. If she hadn’t, the film wouldn’t have happened.”

“It’s been more than 30 years of our professional association and we have given hits most of the time we worked together — Mr India, Judaai, English Vinglish. I remember Balki and I were discussing the possibility of doing a film with Sridevi, Rajinikanth and Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan). We met Balki at his residence in Chennai for lunch when we got to know Rajnikanth wasn’t keeping well. Balki mentioned that Gauri (Shinde), his wife was working on the script (English Vinglish) and Sri and I both instantly loved the story idea.”

“It’s been a fabulous journey personally and professionally with Sri and I hope it continues forever as long as we both live. We are in sync all the time and the choices we made in films have worked out well. Hopefully, Mom will too. After Judaai she took a sabbatical to look after our two daughters as her family has always been her priority. It was only the story of English Vinglish that compelled, propelled and excited her to come back into films again.”

“During Judaai we had already become very close and when I was on a recce in early 1996 to USA, Sridevi and I travelled all over the country by road and took flights... We both recced for it together. I pray to God that all goes well for Mom too. She’s my strength and support system. She’s been through my lows and highs and been a great support to me. During the release of No Entry she walked barefoot to Siddhivinayak for me for nine weeks, as the film was having hiccups. I am lucky and blessed to have her in my life.’

Mohar Basu (BOMBAY TIMES; February 19, 2015)