Didn't Really Have a Normal Childhood: Sridevi

Credits: srideviblog

In this Interesting Interview from 90's, Sridevi talks openly about not having normal childhood like other kids,why she dislikes Rekha and rumored love with Rajinikanth

Q: Judging by your emotional responses, yes. Obviously you look like a full blown woman but the fact that the only ones you can bring yourself to trust are your parents and sister indicate a frightened, clinging child, not a mature person. Why is it that you instinctively distrust everyone?

There are many reasons. Basically, I suppose these are the after effects of growing up in the studios, like you said. Normally, children benefit from attending school, mixing freely with other children and all that, whereas I did not get that opportunity. There was only Srilata, my sister to fight or play with. That is not the same as being with children from different homes because there you learn to adjust whereas on the sets, I was pampered. You see, I was always the baby in the unit. I was playing the girlfriend or wife of very much older heroes like NTR. (Like that Tamil film which I told you about where I was married to Rajnikant's father!). Pampered like a kid by my seniors, doted on by father... I remained basically like a child.

Moreover, how does any child grow to maturity. Either you learn from books or from life, isn't it? Life has been too kind to me. On top of that, my parents protected me absolutely. I was not left alone even for a minute. I think it is very important for a young girl in this industry to have the strong backing of her family otherwise if you are not knowing anything you can fall into the wrong hands, then what?

I don't have any friends. See, it's not that I distrust everybody but if my parents would leave me alone for any reason I used to feel very lost. Even it's not true that I have no emotions. I'm emotional about my family.

Q : Would you say that your fickle behaviour towards Rekha was any different from the starlet's?

At that time Rekha had no films and so she had ample free time to drop in on my sets whenever she liked. She would offer advice, "Sri, don't you think this will look better on you than that?” And I used to just listen to her because she was my senior and all. But you cannot compare me to an ungrateful starlet because I was already a top star in Tamil and Telegu films before coming here. It's not as if I needed help - it was nice of her to offer advice but I didn't ask for it. I'm not guilty of cold-shouldering Rekha. for one thing, Rekha being an extrovert makes a big show of warmth but I cannot open my mouth wide, and wave frantically and scream "Hiii!" That's not me.

Q: If you keep evaluating men by the yardstick of success and wealth, no man can measure to the standard that you have achieved. Isn't that why you rejected Rajnikant once you superseded him. Reportedly your ditch drove he sensitive Southie to an emotional breakdown to the extent of attempting suicide.?

Mr. Rajnikant? Went into hospital? When was this? For me? This is simply not true. I'm very distressed to hear that such a wild rumour is making the rounds. If he was in hospital it must have been for some other reason not me. in fact, i am feeling very sorry that Rajni sir was in hospital and i was not even aware of it.