A Bollywood filmmaker says Indian superstar Sridevi who died on Saturday led a life that was “completely different” from the way it’s perceived by others.
Ram Gopal Verma, who directed the 54-year-old star in films like Great Robbery, Govindhaa Govindhaa and Hairaan, says she was “pretty much a very unhappy woman”.
The late star who was at the zenith of her career in Bollywood for almost two decades died in Dubai on Saturday of “accidental drowning”.
“For many, Sridevi's life was perfect. Beautiful face, great talent, a seemingly stable family with two beautiful daughters. From outside, everything looked so enviable and desirable... But was Sridevi a very happy person and did she lead a very happy life?” he wrote.
In a note written on Facebook, Verma said Sridevi’s life went from that of a “bird in the sky” to a “bird in a cage” due to her overprotective mother.
Sridevi Source: Twitter
According to Verma, after Sridevi’s father died, she almost became “penniless” as the friends and relatives whom her father trusted with Sridevi’s money betrayed her.
“So in effect, the woman desired by millions in the world was all alone and almost penny less in the world except for one Boney [Kapoor whom Sridevi later married], he wrote.”
He delved into her less than cordial relationship with her husband Boney Kapoor’s mother, claiming the latter called her a home breaker and once punched her in full public view.
Verma said she had built “psychological wall” around her and was scared of anyone knowing her “insecurities”.
“She had to put on the makeup and be somebody else not just in front of the camera, but also to put a psychological makeup to hide her real self behind the camera.”
“From my personal experience with her, the only time I ever saw her in peace was in front of the camera that too only between Action and Cut ..That’s because she could cut off the harsh reality and escape into her own fantasy world.”
