"LIKE FANBOYS WE STOOD OUTSIDE SRIDEVIJI'S HOUSE"

Filmmaker Satish Kaushik tells you why Sridevi was the heart of Mr India. Farhana Farook listens in

- Farhana Farook

Sridevi has been a turning point in actor/filmmaker Satish Kaushik's life. His claim to fame being the superstar's Mr India, which headlined him as an associate director. This bonanza led him to helm producer Boney Kapoor's extravaganza Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, once again frontlined by Sridevi and Anil Kapoor. Though the titan tanked and left Boney in the red, it failed to make a dent in their friendship - something Satish values till date. In fact, the thought of Sridevi's silent yet steadfast support to Satish during the two darkest phases of his life - the loss of face after Roop Ki Rani and the loss of his young son-wells his eyes with tears. Tears of admiration, of appreciation, of affection. For Satish, Sridevi will always remain 'Madam' - a metaphor for someone he lionized as a person and performer. In Satish Kaushik's own words...

STELLAR SQUAD

When we began making Mr India (1987), we didn't realise how iconic it would turn out to be or its ability to entertain generations. The story is fantastical yet emotional. Arun (Anil Kapoor), who strives to raise orphaned kids, uses his scientist father's invisibility device - a watch - to save them and India from megalomaniac Mogambo (Amrish Puri). Seema (Sridevi), a journalist, is Arun's comrade and beloved in this fight. Mr India was to be directed by Shekhar Kapur, whom I'd assisted in Masoom (1983). We'd also done ad films together. From the third assistant I'd become family for him. Though I am an alumnus of the National School of Drama (NSD), I imbibed his filmmaking techniques.