When Boney Kapoor was told his film would flop due to Sridevi

The 1997 Bollywood film Judaai is still remembered for its emotional depth and gripping storyline. However, before its release, producer Boney Kapoor faced skepticism about its success. Many in the industry believed that the audience would not accept Sridevi, Boney’s wife, playing the on-screen wife of his younger brother, Anil Kapoor.

Before Judaai hit theaters, Boney Kapoor was warned that the film might fail due to this unusual casting. Some industry insiders predicted that viewers would find it difficult to accept Sridevi’s romantic pairing with Anil Kapoor. Despite these concerns, Boney Kapoor had faith in the film’s potential.

When Judaai was finally released, it proved the doubters wrong. Audiences embraced the film’s engaging plot and powerful performances. Directed by Raj Kanwar, the film also featured Urmila Matondkar in a key role. Made on a budget of ₹6.3 crore, the film collected an impressive ₹28.77 crore at the box office, making it one of the biggest hits of the year. Even today, Judaai enjoys repeat viewership and is considered a cult classic.

Boney Kapoor known for his decades-long career in Bollywood, has always had a keen understanding of a film’s potential. He admitted that he could foresee the failure of some of his films, such as Shakti: The Power and Kyun! Ho Gaya Na…. However, there were also instances where he believed in a movie despite doubts from distributors.

One such case was Sirf Tum, a romantic drama that Boney strongly supported. When distributors saw the initial cuts, they were unconvinced and even asked for their money back. Despite this, Boney chose to distribute the film himself across India. His confidence paid off, as the film became a hit, with its music, especially the song Dilbar, gaining massive popularity.

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