Poonam Dhillon has recently spoken out about the media's perception of Sridevi, defending the late actress against the "dumb" tag she was often given. In a candid interview with ANI, Dhillon addressed the misconceptions surrounding Sridevi, emphasizing her brilliance and intelligence.
Dhillon stated, "Sridevi is such a brilliant actor. She couldn't be so brilliant if she were dumb". She further added, "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". Dhillon's comments challenge the simplistic and often unfair portrayal of Sridevi in the media.
Dhillon also reflected on the strategies some actresses employed to navigate the film industry during their time. She recounted her own experiences, explaining how she sometimes acted naive to maintain a professional distance and avoid unwanted advances. "I've done that for years. I was this dumb blonde. I didn't understand anything anybody was saying for years and years," Dhillon shared. She elaborated that pretending not to understand "non-veg jokes" or inappropriate comments helped her maintain boundaries on set.
Dhillon explained, "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". This "dumb blonde" act, as she called it, was a way to avoid being misconstrued as being "willing for certain things" by male co-stars.
Poonam Dhillon and Sridevi shared a close bond and worked together in a couple of films, including 'Sone Pe Suhaaga' and 'Judaai'. Dhillon has always admired Sridevi's work, but also noted that Sridevi was a "subdued person".
Dhillon's recent remarks provide a valuable perspective on the media's perception of Sridevi and the pressures faced by actresses in the industry. By defending Sridevi and sharing her own experiences, Dhillon highlights the importance of looking beyond superficial labels and recognizing the intelligence and talent of these women.
