A lensman reminisces: Sridevi was an actor who scorched the sets

I cannot claim to know Sridevi, but I have photographed her on many occasions, and was close to her husband Boney Kapoor.  

I remember seeing her in Julie, a child artist as the younger sister of the heroine—Om Prakash's daughter. Even in that role, she had left her mark. I remember meeting her personally on the sets of Judaai, where we were invited to cover the shoot. Urmila Matondkar and Anil Kapoor were doing a dance sequence, directed by choreographer Saroj Khan, but there was no sign of Sridevi. When I enquired after her, I was directed to the make-up room. When I knocked on the door, her assistant let me in, and I came face-to-face with her. I was stunned by her beauty, dressed she was like a bride applying final touches of make-up. I introduced myself and said I had a flight to catch, so I needed some quick photos. She looked a bit puzzled, but agreed. We spent 10-15 minutes shooting in the room. I got a few headshots and left. Unfortunately, she never came to the sets. Boney Kapoor rode with us to the the airport, wearing goggles and a tucked-in denim shirt; I distinctly remember one of the mediapersons commenting that Boney looked more like a hero than his brother Anil Kapoor. 

On another occasion, I was asked to photograph her on the sets of Chandni in distant suburbs of Mumbai Madh Island. I met director Yash Chopra, whom I knew well, and he introduced me to Sridevi. She was shooting with Mita Vashisht, and since the director knew me, I had easy access. Sridevi didn't talk much, except enquiring which paper I belonged to. Would I show her the pictures? She was not one for too much talking. But she was cooperative, and particular that I shoot in a way that captured her best. She would ask if I was doing a close, mid-shot or full length, and ask me to give her a signal so that she could emote.  

Once, we were doing a cover story for one of our publications and went to meet the actor. The reporter was very excited as he was a great fan of Sridevi. We reached her home, and she was all dressed up for the shoot and ready for the interview. But, Boney started replying after four or five questions. The reporter requested that Sridevi reply to his questions. Boney and Sridevi exchanged meaningful looks. She said in her typical south Indian accent: what he says are my replies. That was the end of it. 

I met Boney Kapoor at his residence a couple of years ago with a request to do authorised biography on his wife Sridevi. He suggested I leave a copy of my earlier book AB-The Legend, A Photographer's Tribute, which he could show her. I did so, and we met a couple of times more. But finally he said that Sridevi felt she had much more to do. I requested we do a second one when she feels, but the final 'yes' never came. Alas.