Producer Boney Kapoor recently shared an anecdote about how he secured the services of his late wife, the legendary actress Sridevi, by strategically increasing her proposed fee. A viral clip from a talk show features Kapoor recounting the story of their professional and personal journey, highlighting his shrewd negotiation tactics even before they were married.
Kapoor explained that when Sridevi’s mother initially quoted INR 10 lakh for her to star in a film, he promptly offered INR 11 lakh. He elaborated that Sridevi was a major star at the time, and he was keen to have his brother cast opposite a leading actress. His first meeting with Sridevi was in Mumbai, where she directed him to speak with her mother regarding her professional engagements.
During a conversation with Sridevi’s mother in Chennai, Kapoor skillfully navigated the negotiation despite language barriers. He understood that her mention of ’10 rupees’ actually signified INR 10 lakh. Having researched Sridevi’s previous film remuneration, which was around INR 8.5 lakh, Kapoor initially considered offering INR 9 lakh. However, when her mother stated the fee, he countered by offering INR 11 lakh, a move that surprised her. The negotiation continued with Kapoor agreeing to cover additional staff expenses, eventually settling on INR 11 lakh for her services.
This initial deal set a precedent. Kapoor revealed that for the film ‘Chandni’, he negotiated a fee of INR 15 lakh after speaking with Yash Chopra. Later, for ‘Khuda Gawah’, Kapoor strategically proposed a future fee of INR 25 lakh, which Sridevi’s mother eventually accepted, demonstrating Kapoor’s long-term planning and influence.
Sridevi remains one of Indian cinema’s most cherished icons. Her untimely death in 2018 in Dubai left a void in the industry. The circumstances of her passing, accidental drowning complicated by heart failure, were a profound shock to her fans and colleagues worldwide.