Laadla turns 30: What was the mysterious connection between Divya Bharti and Sridevi?

Sridevi and Divya Bharati were both drop-dead gorgeous, had deep expressive eyes that could speak, smiles that would make their admirers go weak in the knees, wavy hair, and talent which made them an obvious choice for directors and even replace each other. Apart from their uncanny resemblance, their fates were also intertwined. Divya’s career was a whirlwind. In just four years, she delivered hits like Dil Ka Kya Kasoor and Shola Aur Shabnam. Her talent was undeniable, and filmmakers were eager to work with her. Sadly, destiny had other plans.

Laadla, starring Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, and Raveena Tandon, which clocks 30 years on March 25, was among one of Divya’s unfinished films. When Sridevi stepped in to complete the role, she seemed like a perfect replacement, as per the film’s director Raj Kanwal. “In Laadla, Sridevi wasn’t the original choice, Divya Bharti was supposed to do the role. But after Divya’s death, people told me that I should pack up since I had completed 80 per cent of the film and that nothing could be done about that,” the late director said in an interview. The director went up to Sridevi and asked her to do the film. “I didn’t ask her, just told her that she should do it. She looked at me for some time and then told me to narrate the story for her. I did that, and she liked the role. She agreed, and the rest is history,” reminisced Raj in the interview.

ALSO READ When Sridevi stepped into Divya Bharti’s Laadla after her untimely demise, Raveena Tandon did her Mohra

Aneez Bazmee, who wrote Laadla, recalled casting Sridevi in the movie and rewriting the entire script even after 90% of the film had been shot with Divya. “Puri film humne bana li thi, sirf climax baki tha (We had completed the entire film, only the climax was left). We couldn’t think of shelving the film because when we sat down for the edit, we knew it would be a super hit. The producers and the entire cast and crew were sad and depressed for both reasons – losing Divya and the film being incomplete. Director Raj Kanwal, producer Nitin Mohan, and I sat down and rewrote many scenes that would complement Sridevi’s acting prowess and strength as an actor,” Aneez told Komal Nahata in an interview. He added that when the makers saw the final film, they knew no one would have played the role better than Sridevi.

Divya Bharti’s life mirrored Sridevi’s in an eerie way during the filming of Laadla. During a scene originally shot with Divya, Sridevi fumbled on the same dialogue that Divya fumbled with. This unexplainable occurrence made everyone uncomfortable on the set, including co-star Raveena Tandon. The crew, seeking solace, even resorted to chanting hymns and breaking a coconut. Raveena told Mumbai Mirror, “The first shot was an emotional one for us because Sridevi had stepped into Divya Bharti’s shoes after her untimely demise. Divya, Shakti Kapoor, and I had shot a scene in Aurangabad where she fires us and throws us out of the office. While shooting the scene, Divya was constantly getting stuck on a particular line of dialogue and had to give several retakes before it was okay. Around six months later, we were shooting the same scene with Sridevi in the same office, and it was so eerie because she was stuck on the same line. All of us on the set had gooseflesh (sic).”

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ALSO READ How Divya Bharti spent hours before her untimely death at 19

Raveena revealed that upon co-star Shakti Kapoor’s advice, they recited the Gayatri mantra and performed a coconut-breaking ritual on the set. This incident established the uncanny link between Divya and Sridevi. Years later, Sridevi too met an untimely demise, leaving the nation in shock.

Divya Bharti and Sridevi were frequently compared to one another during their time in the spotlight. Due to their strikingly similar appearances, it was often suggested that Divya could potentially succeed Sridevi in the industry. The resemblance between the two was so notable that Divya was even referred to as Sridevi’s younger sister. During their era, the two talented actors were considered potential replacements for each other.

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On her constant comparison with Sridevi, a humble Divya in an old video that surfaced online, said, “I was thrilled. I said wow what a compliment to look so beautiful and good. Sridevi is so beautiful. She’s so good. She’s tall, good-looking, fairer than me, everything! She’s got a clearer complexion. I’ve got a pimpled face.”

Recalling her brief interaction with her contemporary, Divya said, “She said,’ Hello, I am Sri’ and I introduced myself by saying, ‘Hello, I am Divya.” What set the two actors apart was their personalities in real life. While Divya was considered bubbly, Sridevi, on the other hand, was shy and an introvert.

While the stories around the mysterious connection between Divya Bharti and Sridevi continue to resonate with fans, leaving them wondering if it was just a coincidence, the actors have left behind a commendable body of work that continues to entertain the audience who can’t stop grieving for their tragic, untimely death.

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