Shekhar Kapur Remembers Sridevi: ‘I Would Forget To Say Cut’

MUMBAI-Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has shared a rare throwback picture with late actress Sridevi and recalled the magic she brought to the sets of ‘Mr. India’, saying he would sometimes forget to call “cut” while filming her dance sequences.

Sharing the photograph, Kapur wrote, “The earliest pic I have of Sridevi and myself. Her face never changed. Her eyes flashed startlingly in this pic from the film ‘Joshilay’ as much as they did later in ‘Mr. India’ .. and while the world remembers the Star .. Sridevi ..”

He added, “I was remembering Sri Devi as the Director’s best friend .. 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 .. 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) .. but ..

“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’ .. I doubt there’ll be another Sri Devi .. she was a gift to us ..”

‘Mr. India’, directed by Shekhar Kapur and produced by Boney Kapoor, starred Sridevi opposite Anil Kapoor.

Sridevi began her career as a child artist and went on to become one of Hindi cinema’s leading actresses. She passed away in Dubai in 2018, aged 54. (IANS)