Boney Kapoor once revealed how a negotiation over Sridevi’s fee for ‘Mr India’ eventually helped increase the actress’ remuneration for her later films. The producer recalled the unusual conversation during his appearance on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’. Sridevi’s mother had initially asked for Rs 10 lakh for the actress’ work in ‘Mr India’. Boney Kapoor, however, decided to offer Rs 11 lakh. He also attached a condition that would influence Sridevi’s fee for her next project.
Boney Kapoor recalls ‘Mr India’ fee negotiation
Boney Kapoor remembered traveling to Chennai to meet Sridevi’s mother. At the time, the team was shooting at a bungalow in Ruia Park. He said there was a language barrier during their conversation. The producer explained that he had already checked the market to find out how much Sridevi had received for her previous film. She had reportedly signed that project for Rs 8.5 lakh. Boney shared, “We were shooting in a bungalow in Ruia Park. So I went to Chennai to meet her mom. We started talking. She didn’t know Hindi or English. But my communication skills were so perfect that I could understand her gestures. So she said, ‘Pappi, price INR 10 rupees.’INR 10 rupees meant INR 10 lakhs. I had done some research and inquired in the market as to how much Sridevi charged for her last film. At that time, she had signed the last film for INR 8.5 lakhs. So I thought, ‘She signed for INR 8.5 lakhs; I’ll give her 9. When she said, ‘10 rupees’, I said, ‘No’. So she froze for 10 seconds. I said, ‘I’ll pay 11’. After that, she froze for 15 seconds. She then said, ‘The staff money is separate, INR 30,000 rupees’. So I said, ‘No, I’ll pay 50,000’. So, I gave her 11 lakhs.”
The condition behind Sridevi’s next fee
Boney Kapoor said the Rs 11 lakh agreement came with another condition. Sridevi’s remuneration for her next film would have to be Rs 15 lakh. Her mother initially questioned who would be willing to pay such a fee. Boney Kapoor then approached filmmaker Yash Chopra about the next project.Her mother said, ‘Who will pay INR 15 lakhs. So I spoke to Yash Chopra and made her sign ‘Chandni’ for INR 15 lakhs. So they were happy.” The arrangement helped Sridevi secure Rs 15 lakh for ‘Chandni’. The film was directed by Yash Chopra and became one of the notable titles in the actress’ career.
Boney Kapoor repeats the negotiation strategy
Boney Kapoor later used a similar approach while discussing another film with Sridevi’s mother. This time, the initial amount being discussed was Rs 14 lakh. Instead of accepting the figure, the producer proposed Rs 16 lakh. He again attached a condition involving Sridevi’s remuneration for her following project. The producer recalled their conversation, saying, “She said, “For you, 14’. I said, ‘Why? I’ll pay INR 16 lakhs. But on one condition: next film, she has to sign for INR 25 lakhs. She said, ‘Who will give 25?’. So, in ‘Khuda Gawah’, Sridevi was paid INR 25 lakhs”.
Sridevi’s fee rises to Rs 25 lakh
The second negotiation eventually resulted in Sridevi receiving Rs 25 lakh for ‘Khuda Gawah’. According to Boney Kapoor’s recollection, her remuneration had risen substantially within a relatively short period. Her fee moved from Rs 10 lakh for ‘Mr India’ to Rs 15 lakh for ‘Chandni’. It later reached Rs 25 lakh for ‘Khuda Gawah’. The films also became important titles in Sridevi’s Hindi film career. She worked with several leading filmmakers and actors during this period.
Boney Kapoor and Sridevi’s professional journey
Boney Kapoor and Sridevi shared a professional relationship before they eventually married. The producer has spoken about the actress and her career in several interviews over the years. Sridevi worked across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema. Her notable Hindi films include ‘Mr India’, ‘Chandni’ and ‘Khuda Gawah’.