Mumbai, September 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Producer Boney Kapoor once recalled how he helped increase the remuneration of his late wife and actress Sridevi from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per film through a simple negotiation strategy.
Appearing on The Kapil Sharma Show, Boney shared the story while recalling his discussions with Sridevi’s mother over her fee for Mr India.
According to Boney, he travelled to Chennai to meet Sridevi’s mother, who asked for Rs 10 lakh for the actress. After researching Sridevi’s previous remuneration, he knew that she had signed her last film for Rs 8.5 lakh.
Boney said he initially planned to offer Rs 9 lakh, but when her mother demanded Rs 10 lakh, he surprised her by offering Rs 11 lakh.
He also agreed to pay Rs 50,000 separately for the staff, instead of the Rs 30,000 that had been sought.
However, Boney attached a condition to the deal: Sridevi’s fee for her next film would have to be fixed at Rs 15 lakh.
Recalling the conversation, Boney said her mother questioned who would agree to pay Rs 15 lakh. He then approached filmmaker Yash Chopra and got Sridevi signed for Chandni at the proposed fee.
Boney said he used the same strategy while negotiating Sridevi’s remuneration for another film.
“She said, ‘For you, 14’. I said, ‘Why? I’ll pay Rs 16 lakh. But on one condition: next film, she has to sign for Rs 25 lakh. She said, ‘Who will give 25?’” he recalled.
Boney said the strategy eventually worked, with Sridevi being paid Rs 25 lakh for Khuda Gawah.
The anecdote offers a glimpse into how Sridevi’s remuneration rose significantly during a phase when she was among the leading actresses of Hindi cinema.
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