logo
Sridevi signed a rom-com with Kaalidhar Laapata director Madhumita before her demise, Boney Kapoor gave suggestions for Hindi adaptation: ‘I went to her house and she said…'

Sridevi signed a rom-com with Kaalidhar Laapata director Madhumita before her demise, Boney Kapoor gave suggestions for Hindi adaptation: ‘I went to her house and she said…'

Indian Express17-07-2025
Late actor Sridevi's final film was MOM, which released in 2017. However, it has now been revealed that she had agreed to do another film but passed away before filming could begin. In an interview with SCREEN, director Madhumita, whose film Kaalidhar Laapata recently premiered on ZEE5, shared that Sridevi had given the green light to one of her rom-com scripts, but tragically died before the project could take off.
Recalling her first meeting with the veteran actor, Madhumita shared, 'I had written a story for Sridevi ma'am. I had gone and pitched it, and she loved it. She said yes. It was the sweetest thing ever. This was right after English Vinglish had come out. I went to her house. It was a fun rom-com story. I narrated the story to her and she really liked it. I still remember she made green tea for me herself. She said, 'I love it, let's do it.' We were going to make it in three languages – Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.'
The writer-director also met Sridevi's husband, Boney Kapoor, for inputs on the Hindi adaptation. 'I met Mr. Boney Kapoor as well. There were some suggestions he had on how to make it best for the Hindi audience. But unfortunately, we lost her. And now, the script is remaining in the cupboard. I can't imagine another actress doing it. It's very hard for me to think of anybody else but her in that film. I had her in my mind while writing every scene. When she is not around anymore, casting anyone else just seems like a compromise. That's why that script is shelved forever as a homage to her,' she added.
ALSO READ | Sridevi didn't let anyone come too close to her, says Khuda Gawah co-star Kiran Kumar: 'She could do a Sadma as well as a Chaalbaaz'
Talking about her first Hindi feature film Kaalidhar Laapata, starring Abhishek Bachchan in the lead role, Madhumita said that the digital release didn't matter to her. 'There is an opinion that one medium of distribution is lesser than another. With amount of time that people have today, we have to realise that there are certain categories of films that the audience wants to go watch at the theatres. We have to be mindful of that. If it's a big scale spectacle, I would not opt for OTT. But with this one, it's a very personal film. You can watch it with your family at home while relaxing. The kind of film decides the medium,' she stated.
When asked about Abhishek's reaction to the movie's script, she shared, 'After hearing the story for 30-40 minutes, he said, 'When are we starting the shoot?' He was ready to go. It was very respectful. AB sir was so attentive, listening and asking questions. I wanted to show a side that no one has seen yet and they couldn't have possibly imagined him doing.'
Besides Abhishek Bachchan, the film also stars Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and child actor Daivik Bhagela in pivotal roles. Backed by Zee Studios and Emmay Entertainment, it is the Hindi remake of Madhumita's 2019 Tamil film K.D.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Shane Nigam opens up — from career and rebellion to politics and 'cat philosophy'
Shane Nigam opens up — from career and rebellion to politics and 'cat philosophy'

New Indian Express

time12 minutes ago

  • New Indian Express

Shane Nigam opens up — from career and rebellion to politics and 'cat philosophy'

Once billed a rebel, Shane Nigam today cuts the figure of someone who has weathered storms to emerge lighter, steadier, with an unmistakable twinkle in his eyes. There is no performance here, just a quiet presence that speaks of reflection and resilience. His journey in cinema was never mapped out with ambition or design, despite his father Kalabhavan Abi's reputation as a celebrated mimicry artist and actor. Shane drifted into acting, one role at a time, guided more by instinct than intent. There were stumbles along the way, moments that briefly threatened to eclipse his talent. But today, he seems to have moved beyond them, with a clearer sense of who he is and what kind of work he wants to do. From the sublime 'Kumbalangi Nights' and unnerving 'Ishq' to the high-octane 'RDX', he has steadily reshaped his on-screen identity. With 'Madraskaaran', his Tamil debut, and the upcoming bilingual 'Balti', a kabaddi-based sports action drama scheduled for Onam, Shane is now expanding his horizon while staying grounded in stories that matter to him. In this freewheeling chat, he opens up about his early days, navigating chaos, attempts to balance emotion and craft, thoughts on portraying intimacy, and more. Excerpts:

East Meets West: Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh Sparkle in ‘Sapphire'
East Meets West: Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh Sparkle in ‘Sapphire'

Hans India

time12 minutes ago

  • Hans India

East Meets West: Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh Sparkle in ‘Sapphire'

A musical crossover like no other, Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh's new version of Sapphire blends Hindi, Punjabi and English in a vibrant tribute to love and India. When two musical worlds collide, magic happens—and that's exactly what unfolds in the new version of 'Sapphire', a stunning cross-cultural collaboration between British pop icon Ed Sheeran and India's voice virtuoso Arijit Singh. The special version of Sapphire, released today, adds fresh emotion and global resonance to Ed's already vibrant summer hit, this time with Arijit Singh lending his soulful touch in Hindi and Punjabi. Ed doesn't hold back either—he sings a chorus in Punjabi, taking the fusion to a new level. The track was recorded in Goa during their studio sessions last month, and showcases the rich percussion and melodic warmth typical of South Asian music, merged seamlessly with global pop production. The creative forces behind the track—Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid, and Savan Kotecha—make sure every note resonates across cultures. What elevates this collaboration even further is the beautiful backstory. Ed Sheeran, in a social media post, shared his memorable journey to Jiaganj Azimganj, Arijit's hometown. 'It was like a pilgrimage,' he wrote. From a scenic boat ride to late-night scooty adventures and musical jam sessions, the experience left a lasting impression on Ed—and it shows in the music. The official video, already racking up over 130 million views, is a visual treat. It follows Ed through the vibrant tapestry of India—from sunrise rooftops and serene beaches to local markets, Bollywood backlots, and a stop at the iconic A.R. Rahman music school. Cameos from Arijit Singh and Shah Rukh Khan add further star power. 'Sapphire' has also made waves on streaming platforms, shooting to No. 1 on Spotify India, the first English-language track to do so in four years. On TikTok, it has clocked over 1.5 billion views, becoming more than just a chartbuster—it's a global movement. With Ed Sheeran's next album 'Play' slated for release on September 12, 2025, this glittering collaboration sets the tone for a season of boundary-breaking music. If you haven't hit play yet, now's the time—Sapphire is shining bright across the world.

Rajesh Khanna Allowed His Stardom To Slip, People Began To Mock Him, Says Sharmila Tagore
Rajesh Khanna Allowed His Stardom To Slip, People Began To Mock Him, Says Sharmila Tagore

News18

time15 minutes ago

  • News18

Rajesh Khanna Allowed His Stardom To Slip, People Began To Mock Him, Says Sharmila Tagore

Last Updated: Rajesh Khanna, India's first superstar, rose quickly but couldn't sustain fame. Sharmila Tagore revealed he failed to adapt to changing audiences. Late actor Rajesh Khanna was regarded as one of India's first superstars. His charming personality, good looks and film choices in the early days of his career catapulted him to fame almost overnight. Khanna also enjoyed a robust fan following, especially from females. His hairstyle became a trend, and 'Kaka' became almost synonymous with sensation. Unfortunately, Rajesh Khanna's downfall was as swift as his success. Sharmila Tagore, his co-star in many films, revealed why the late superstar couldn't grasp his own success. Sharmila Tagore wrote the foreword to Rajesh Khanna's biography, Dark Star The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, penned by Gautam Chintamani and published by Rupa Publications. In the prologue, she reflected on why her co-star couldn't hold on to his fame. She wrote in the book, 'Like his friendships, Kaka didn't nurture his stardom and allowed it to slip from his grasp. He failed to notice that the audience was changing, and that the roles he had been doing were becoming less and less relevant. Kaka either couldn't or didn't reinvent himself to remain contemporary; so much so that he became almost a caricature of himself, and people began to mock him." Tagore also observed that Khanna was too generous with some of friends. He would splurge them with expensive gifts, even giving them flats. 'But, in return, he expected far too much which ended up putting a strain on the relationship," the Aradhana actor further penned. The veteran actor, in all honesty, wrote about what she didn't like about everyone's beloved Kaka. 'But what affected me personally was his habit of coming late to work. I went to the studios at 8.00 a.m. and wanted to be back with my family by 8.00 p.m. But this was impossible, since Kaka never arrived before 12.00 noon for a 9.00 a.m. shift. And we could never finish on time. As a result, the entire unit would pressurize me to work overtime and complete the schedule. This became the norm, and since I had many films with Kaka, I found myself in a quandary," she wrote. The Safar actor further penned, 'So, I opted to work with other actors more and more despite the fact that our pairing had been so successful. Probably even Kaka felt it was not such a good idea to have so many films with one actress—one runs the risk of becoming stale. Whatever it was, we found ourselves working together in less and less films. And I must confess, it was a huge relief." Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore were one of Hindi cinema's most iconic on-screen pairs, delivering a string of memorable films in the late 1960s and 1970s. Their chemistry lit up classics like Aradhana (1969), Amar Prem (1972), Daag (1973), and Avishkaar (1974). First Published: July 14, 2025, 15:51 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store