Boney Kapoor, the renowned film producer, has offered a fascinating glimpse into the early days of his relationship with his late wife, superstar Sridevi. In a widely circulated video, Kapoor recounts a remarkable negotiation where he voluntarily increased Sridevi’s acting fee to secure her for a film.
He detailed how Sridevi’s mother initially requested INR 10 lakh for her daughter’s role. Kapoor, aiming to foster a strong professional bond and ensure his brother’s casting opposite a top heroine in the film ‘Joshilaay’, proposed an offer of INR 11 lakh. He met Sridevi in Mumbai, and she indicated that her mother would handle the financial discussions, marking their first professional interaction.
Later, in Chennai, Kapoor met with Sridevi’s mother. Despite the communication challenges, Kapoor managed to understand her signals. When she indicated a fee of ’10 rupees,’ he correctly interpreted it as INR 10 lakh. Knowing that Sridevi’s last film contract was for INR 8.5 lakh, Kapoor initially thought of offering INR 9 lakh. However, he decided to bid higher, offering INR 11 lakh when her mother named the figure. This unexpected increase led to a moment of stunned silence from her mother.
Kapoor further explained his negotiation strategy, agreeing to cover additional costs like staff remuneration, which he raised from INR 30,000 to INR 50,000. He then facilitated Sridevi’s signing for ‘Chandni’ at INR 15 lakh, a move approved by Yash Chopra. For subsequent projects, like ‘Khuda Gawah’, Kapoor proposed a future fee of INR 25 lakh, showcasing his foresight and commitment to elevating Sridevi’s market value.
Sridevi, an unparalleled talent, tragically passed away in 2018. Her sudden demise in Dubai, attributed to accidental drowning following heart failure, sent shockwaves through the Indian film fraternity and her global fanbase.