In a deeply personal and emotional interview, Janhvi Kapoor has reflected on the darker side of her mother Sridevi’s superstardom, recalling the immense pain caused by public scrutiny and “cruel” labels. Speaking with Raj Shamani, the actor shared how the world’s perception of her parents’ marriage deeply impacted her mother’s mental peace.
The “Home-Wrecker” Narrative
When Sridevi married producer Boney Kapoor in 1996, the union was shrouded in controversy as Boney was already married to the late Mona Shourie, with whom he had two children, Arjun and Anshula Kapoor. Janhvi revealed that the backlash against her mother was relentless.
“I have seen that journey. People were not very kind when she was around. They called her a home-wrecker and all the cruel things,” Janhvi shared. She admitted that while Sridevi tried to shield her daughters from the negativity, the tags “played on her mind” and made her feel vulnerable despite her status as India’s first female superstar.
Janhvi admitted that as a child, she didn’t fully grasp the professional, financial, and personal pressures Sridevi faced. Having worked since the age of four, Sridevi rarely shared stories of her struggles, choosing instead to present only “happy stories” to her children.
“I understand her now. And I am sorry that I didn’t understand her before,” Janhvi said with regret. She noted that while history is often “kinder to people who have passed,” the reality of being “ripped apart” by the public while trying to build a family was a heavy burden for the late actress.
The actress also spoke about the “biggest trauma” of her life – losing her mother in 2018. She poignantly noted that she didn’t just lose her mother that day; she also lost the version of her father that existed when Sridevi was alive. Describing herself as a once “very dependent” daughter, Janhvi shared that the tragedy forced her to mature overnight and face a world that was often judgmental of her family dynamics.