Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur shared a rare black-and-white throwback picture with the late actor Sridevi on her 63rd birth anniversary. In an emotional social media post, he remembered her not just as a superstar but as a director’s closest collaborator and friend. Kapur also revealed how Sridevi stayed away from the typical star behavior, often sitting quietly on set, almost unaware of her own fame.
The director, known for the 1987 cult classic Mr India, posted the picture on Instagram and wrote a long note about his time working with the actor. He shared that the photo was the earliest one he had with Sridevi, from the film Joshilay before they worked together on Mr India.
Shekhar Kapur Calls Sridevi ‘Director’s Best Friend’
Kapur made it clear that while the world remembers Sridevi as a massive star, he remembers her as someone special to him as a filmmaker. He wrote that on her birth anniversary, he was thinking of her as the “Director’s best friend”. He credited their partnership for the success of Mr India, saying the film would not have been possible without their collaboration.
“Mr India would not have been possible without the amazing collaboration between Sridevi and myself. I still remember my excitement and urge to get to the set when Sri Devi and I were doing Mr India .. because you never knew how Sri Devi would surprise you that day. .. and she never failed to do so,”
Sridevi’s Humble Nature and Denial of Stardom
One of the most interesting parts of Kapur’s post was his observation about Sridevi’s behavior when the camera was not rolling. He said she would sit quietly in her chair, almost in denial of her own stardom. He pointed out that unlike many actors today who go to their trailers between shots, Sridevi stayed on set. This showed her grounded nature and her commitment to the craft.
“When the camera was not in her .. she would be quietly sitting in her chair .. almost in denial of her stardom (unlike actors today she would not disappear into her trailer).”
The Magic Happened When Camera Started Rolling
Kapur described how Sridevi completely transformed when she faced the camera. He said it was as if magic happened and she became a different person. Her energy was so strong that everyone on the set could feel it. He used the word “electric” to describe her presence.
The filmmaker shared a memorable incident from the shoot. During Sridevi’s dance sequences, he would forget to say “cut” because he was so lost in her performance. The entire crew would also be mesmerized, and the camera would keep rolling. This shows the level of impact Sridevi had on everyone around her.
“When in front of the Camera it was as if magic happened .. it was a different Sridevi.. her energy not only radiated out of her for the camera .. everyone on the set felt it .. it was electric. So much that at times ( especially in a dance sequence) we would forget to switch off the camera ! For I would forget to say ‘Cut’.”
Shekhar Kapur: ‘There Will Not Be Another Sridevi’
Kapur ended his tribute with a powerful statement. He said he doubts there will ever be another Sridevi, calling her a “gift” to everyone. The post received a lot of attention from fans and industry people who continue to remember the actor with love and respect.
“I doubt there’ll be another Sri Devi .. she was a gift to us ..So wherever you are Sri .. Happy Birthday.”
About Sridevi and Her Iconic Career
Born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan in 1963, Sridevi started her career as a child actor and went on to become one of the most celebrated female stars in Indian cinema. She worked in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films. Some of her most famous Hindi movies include Chandni, Lamhe, Mr India, Chaalbaaz, Nagina, Sadma, and English Vinglish. She also received the Padma Shri award for her contributions to Indian cinema.
Her last film was Mom, for which she received the Best Actress National Award after her passing. Sridevi passed away on February 24, 2018, in Dubai at the age of 54. The autopsy report stated that her death was due to accidental drowning.
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Other Celebrities Pay Tribute to Sridevi
On her birth anniversary, several other celebrities also remembered Sridevi. Shabana Azmi paid tribute, praising her versatility and the wide range of characters she brought to life on screen. Priyanka Chopra also remembered the late actor by revealing the first look of her upcoming biography. These tributes show how Sridevi continues to be loved and remembered by her peers and fans alike.
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