Veteran actress Poonam Dhillon recently shed light on the unstated challenges faced by actresses in the nascent years of Indian cinema. She revealed that many, including the iconic late Sridevi, were often misconstrued for intentionally acting “dumb” on film sets.
In a candid conversation with ANI, Poonam confessed that she herself adopted the “dumb blonde” persona during her formative years in the industry. “Oh, I’ve done that for years. I was this dumb blonde. I didn’t understand anything anybody was saying for years and years,” she recounted with a chuckle.
Poonam went on to elaborate that this behavior often served as a protective mechanism. “Sometimes if non-veg jokes were being cracked on the set, you didn’t sit and guffaw with them. You just pretended you didn’t understand what they’ve said. So that, you know, that little distance is maintained,” she explained. “Because the moment you start backslapping and cracking non-veg jokes with the heroes, they, in our times, used to think that it’s a signal that you are a little more than willing for certain things. So being dumb was very convenient for years.”
She also came to the defense of Sridevi, who despite her legendary acting prowess, was frequently labeled “dumb” by the media. “Sridevi is such a brilliant actor. She cannot be so brilliant if she were dumb,” said Poonam. “The media would write, ‘oh she’s dumb. She’ll say ask mummy, ask mummy.’ I say that’s a ploy. She’s a very bright and sharp girl. Otherwise, how can she be such an amazing actor? I refuse to believe it.”
Poonam and Sridevi shared screen space in films such as Sone Pe Suhaaga and Judaai. Additionally, Poonam’s movies Red Rose and Nishana were Hindi remakes of Sridevi’s earlier Tamil and Telugu cinematic successes.
Reflecting on their time together, Poonam observed, “I’ve always been an admirer of her work. I have worked with her in a couple of films. But she was a subdued person.”
Sridevi, widely revered as India’s first female superstar, passed away on February 24, 2018, in Dubai, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in Indian cinema.
