Even years after her death, Sridevi continues to be remembered as one of the most powerful and influential stars of Indian cinema. Often referred to as the first female superstar, she graced the screen in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films. Beyond his iconic performances, he was also known for being very clear about his boundaries, both personally and professionally. Sridevi was never one to blindly follow industry pressures.At a time when actors often gave in to directors’ demands, he chose to stick firmly to what he was comfortable portraying on screen. Her choices reflected not only confidence, but also self-respect, and stood out in an era when such assertiveness was rarely entered.
Sridevi’s ‘Guru’ controversy sparked outrage
According to Newspoint, in the production of the film ‘Guru’, where he starred alongside Mithun ChakrabortySridevi reportedly refused to do the kissing scene. While Mithun respected his decision, director Umesh Mehra reportedly went ahead and included the moment in the film using a workaround, later claiming that Sridevi shot it herself. The incident quickly became controversial, as it was against the explicit refusal of the actor.Sridevi’s mother strongly objected to what happened and did not hold back. He said, “Umesh Mehra cheated us. We refused to kiss him from the start, so he took some extras and shot the scene. He can’t do that. It’s not allowed.” Expressing his anger further, he added, “Look how Araka gets the extras to do anything and make it look like Sridevi did it! Tell him to remove the scene from the film and we will allow the release of the film.“The actor himself later reported the experience, calling it very upsetting. “Guru’s kiss problem was a nightmare. Someone else’s lips were used for a kiss, even though I said I wouldn’t allow a surrogate to do it.” He also talked about how it affected his family. “My parents saw the film and were very upset. And the director, Umesh Mehra, even said that I actually did the kiss scene.“Making her stand clear, she concluded, “That was my worst experience in the film industry. I don’t know why I should kiss someone I don’t know. Others can do it but I can’t.”
Sridevi’s legacy beyond cinema
From classics like ‘Mr India’ to ‘Chandni’ and ‘Lamhe’, Sridevi created a body of work that continues to inspire generations. However, stories like these underscore that his legacy is not just about memorable roles, but about being a force in an industry that often required compromise.
