Sridevi’s Sister Srilatha: A Once Close Bond Marred by a Legal Dispute

Sridevi, the iconic Bollywood superstar, who passed away in 2018, continues to live on in the hearts of millions through her timeless films. While her professional journey is well-known, a lesser-known aspect of her life is her relationship with her sister, Srilatha, which went from being close-knit to bitterly strained.

In the early ’80s, when established actresses like Hema Malini and Rekha reigned in Bollywood, Sridevi emerged as a prominent figure in the industry. Throughout her illustrious career spanning over 300 films, Sridevi’s sister Srilatha played an interesting role. Initially aspiring to be an actress herself, Srilatha eventually became Sridevi’s manager.

The turning point in their relationship came after the tragic loss of their mother. Their mother underwent a medical procedure that went awry, resulting in memory loss, ultimately leading to her demise in 1996. Sridevi, rightly outraged, took legal action against the hospital and received a significant compensation of Rs 7.2 crore. However, the strife began when Sridevi decided to retain the entire compensation amount, creating a rift between the sisters.

Srilatha contested the matter in court, asserting that their mother’s deteriorating mental state had prompted the property transfer to Sridevi. She successfully won the case and was awarded Rs 2 crore. Despite efforts by Boney Kapoor, Sridevi’s husband, to reconcile the sisters, their bond remained severed. Notably, Srilatha was conspicuously absent from the prayer meeting held in Chennai after Sridevi’s untimely demise, marking the permanent fracture in their relationship.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The DNA