Poonam Dhillon Says Media Would Write Sridevi Was 'Dumb': 'Sometimes If Non-Veg Jokes...'
Poonam and Sridevi shared screen space in films like Sone Pe Suhaaga and Judaai. Poonam's movies Red Rose and Nishana were Hindi remakes of Sridevi's earlier Tamil and Telugu hits.
Veteran actress Poonam Dhillon recently opened up about the challenges faced by actresses in the early days of Indian cinema, revealing how many, including the late Sridevi, were often misunderstood for deliberately playing 'dumb" on film sets.
In a conversation with ANI, Poonam shared that she herself often played the 'dumb blonde" during her early years in the industry. 'Oh, I've done that for years. I was this dumb blonde. I didn't understand anything anybody was saying for years and years," she recalled with a laugh.
Elaborating on the reason behind this behaviour, Poonam said it was often a protective mechanism. 'Sometimes if non-veg jokes were being cracked on the set, you didn't sit and guffaw with them. You just pretended you didn't understand what they've said. So that, you know, that little distance is maintained," she explained. 'Because the moment you start backslapping and cracking non-veg jokes with the heroes, they, in our times, used to think that it's a signal that you are a little more than willing for certain things. So being dumb was very convenient for years."
She also defended Sridevi, who was often labelled as 'dumb" by the media despite her legendary acting skills. 'Sridevi is such a brilliant actor. She cannot be so brilliant if she were dumb," said Poonam. 'The media would write, 'oh she's dumb. She'll say ask mummy, ask mummy.' I say that's a ploy. She's a very bright and sharp girl. Otherwise, how can she be such an amazing actor? I refuse to believe it."
Poonam and Sridevi shared screen space in films like Sone Pe Suhaaga and Judaai. Additionally, Poonam's movies Red Rose and Nishana were Hindi remakes of Sridevi's earlier Tamil and Telugu hits.
Reflecting on their time together, Poonam noted, 'I've always been an admirer of her work. I have worked with her in a couple of films. But she was a subdued person."
Sridevi, widely regarded as India's first female superstar, passed away on February 24, 2018, in Dubai, leaving behind an unmatched legacy.
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