Before her untimely passing in 2018, iconic actor Sridevi had greenlit a romantic comedy script with director Madhumita, which will now remain unfilmed as a tribute to her.
Sridevi’s Unfilmed Rom-Com
Director Madhumita, known for her recent film Kaalidhar Laapata, recently revealed a poignant detail about the late Sridevi. In an interview with SCREEN, Madhumita shared that Sridevi had agreed to star in one of her romantic comedy scripts.
This revelation comes years after Sridevi’s final cinematic release, “MOM,” in 2017. Tragically, the project with Madhumita could not move forward as Sridevi passed away before filming could begin.
A Script She Loved
Madhumita fondly recalled her first meeting with the legendary actress. It was shortly after the release of Sridevi’s critically acclaimed film, “English Vinglish.”
“I had written a story for Sridevi ma’am. I had gone and pitched it, and she loved it,” Madhumita shared. She added that Sridevi was incredibly sweet, even making green tea for her during their meeting at her home. Sridevi’s response was enthusiastic: “I love it, let’s do it.”
The rom-com was envisioned as a trilingual project, with plans to make it in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, catering to a wider audience across India.
A Homage, Shelved Forever
The director also met with Sridevi’s husband, Boney Kapoor, to discuss the Hindi adaptation of the script. Mr. Kapoor offered valuable suggestions on how to best tailor the film for the Hindi-speaking audience.
However, with Sridevi’s sudden demise, the fate of the script changed irrevocably. Madhumita firmly stated that the script is now “shelved forever as a homage” to the late actor. She cannot imagine another actress stepping into the role.
“I had her in my mind while writing every scene,” Madhumita explained. “When she is not around anymore, casting anyone else just seems like a compromise.”
- Sridevi had agreed to a romantic comedy with director Madhumita.
- The film was planned in three languages: Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.
- Boney Kapoor provided inputs for the Hindi version.
- The script is permanently shelved as a tribute to Sridevi, as no other actress can replace her in Madhumita’s vision.
Director Madhumita’s Latest Work
Beyond the unfilmed Sridevi project, Madhumita recently helmed “Kaalidhar Laapata,” her first Hindi feature film. Starring Abhishek Bachchan, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and child actor Daivik Bhagela, the film premiered on ZEE5.
Madhumita shared insights into working with Abhishek Bachchan, noting his immediate enthusiasm for the script. “After hearing the story for 30-40 minutes, he said, ‘When are we starting the shoot?’ He was ready to go,” she recalled.
The director also discussed her views on film distribution mediums. She believes the type of film dictates whether it’s best suited for theatrical release or an OTT platform, highlighting that “Kaalidhar Laapata,” being a personal film, is well-suited for family viewing at home.
