Now I am told she is making a comeback to the movies. Her photos are also seen much more frequently in the entertainment supplements of newspapers.
Wonderful, she should never give up acting. As in my case, I am sure she continues to fascinate thousands of fans. In Vijayawada, I would always queue up to buy a ticket for the new Sridevi movie. I would gape in awe at her hoardings. Her beauty and sex appeal were so strong that it took many many films and many many years for the audience as well as the film industry to recognise the suberb actress in her. According to me, this was first showcased by Shekhar Kapur with Mr India. Even though many of her early films had demonstrated her acting talent, superstardom accentuated her calibre. She was not only a sex symbol but a tremendous artiste as well.
My journey to Sridevi began when I would walk from Nagarjuna’s Chennai office to a neighbouring street where Sridevi lived. I would stand outside watching Sridevi’s house for hours. I couldn’t believe that the goddess of beauty lived in that stupid looking house — ‘stupid’ because I believe no one has yet designed a house worthy of her beauty. I was desperate to catch a glimpse of her, leaving or entering the house. That never happened..
After I became established as a director, a producer asked if I was interested in doing a film with Sridevi. I said, “Are you mad or what? I would die to just see her, let alone make a film with her!” A meeting was arranged. At 7.30 p.m, when we reached her house, just as luck would have it, there was a power cut in the area. I was sitting in her living room in candlelight, waiting for the angel to appear. My heart was thumping madly. Her mother informed us that she was busy packing. She was about to catch a flight to Mumbai.
While we were waiting, she crossed the living room, and smiled apologetically at me, for the delay. Finally she grabbed a moment to talk with us, and said how she would very much like to work with me. I am sure she must have said the same thing to hordes of directors. Then she left for the airport. I continued talking to her mother very respectfully because she had given birth to Sridevi.
Next, I was shooting Kshana Kshanam with Sridevi in Nandyal. She stayed in a bungalow, a little distance away from Venkatesh and I who were in a guest house. At nights, there would be a crowd of thousands, just gaping at the bungalow. Fifty local tough guys and the police force guarded the place. Hundreds of men and women ran after her car when she reported on location for the shooting.
I have seen her go through several personal tragedies like her father’s death and her mother’s mental illness. The woman whom men of the entire nation desired was suddenly alone till Boney Kapoor stepped in to fill the vaccum. Next, I saw her in Boney’s house, serving tea like any housewife would. As a result, I don’t go to Boney’s house anymore. I can’t bear to see Sridevi in a realistic house in a realistic atmosphere with realistic people around. For me she is a highly precious diamond which should be seen only against beautiful settings and amidst cinematic brilliance.
So what if Boney has the real Sri in his house? I have her captured as a goddess in the temple of my mind’s camera.