Javed Akhtar on his 26/11 comments in Pakistan: When I came here, I felt like I won World War III
Javed Akhtar
Actor Kharaj Mukherjee believes Sridevi was one of the most iconic stars of the country for many reasons. The veteran actor has spoken out on the anniversary of Sridevi’s death, saying that she was a master of all genres. During her prime, Sridevi ji was often referred to as the “female Amitabh Bachchan” by the most prominent newspapers of the day because of her magnetic personality. This alone was enough to establish her as Bollywood’s first female superstar. Success followed success, and she became one of the few female actors of the era capable of propelling a movie to the top of the box office on her own. A small part in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film Jurassic Park was reportedly offered to her, but she turned it down. She said no because she felt the part was beneath her star status. Imagine,” says a giddy Kharaj, “how things were back then. Kharaj, who has worked in the film industry for many years, agrees that Sridevi was able to effortlessly switch between roles like a chameleon. Sridevi’s filmography is diverse, and she has played roles as diverse as an amnesiac woman regressing to childhood (Sadma) and a snake woman (Nagina). According to a newspaper article I read, late director Yash Chopra, who had worked with Sridevi on the films Chandni and Lamhe, once said that she had the ability to become completely absorbed in any role she played. The one constant across all of Sridevi’s films is that the moment the camera starts rolling, the star inside of her disappears and is replaced by whichever character is offered to her. Multiple accounts attest to her unwavering dedication and enthusiasm for her work. She possessed a unique quality that made her a fan favourite among the industry’s leading directors at the time. The renowned Bengali actor continues, “I wish we could have seen in more films now, especially when we are seeing a sea change in content.”
