Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 30: The sets of Bollywood films are often a blend of glamour, grit, and at times, the inexplicable. Actress Raveena Tandon recently revisited one such haunting memory from the sets of the 1994 blockbuster ‘Laadla’, starring Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, and herself — a moment etched in her mind that left the entire unit stunned.

In a throwback revelation, Raveena shared how Sridevi, known for her grace and professionalism, appeared visibly shaken during the shoot of a particular scene that had once been performed by late actress Divya Bharti, the film’s original lead.

Divya, a rising star in the early ‘90s, had already shot several sequences for Laadla before her tragic and untimely death in April 1993. Her passing had brought the production to a standstill and left the film’s future uncertain. Eventually, the role was recast, and Sridevi stepped in.

Months later, while reshooting a key scene—one that Raveena had previously performed with Divya and Shakti Kapoor—an uncanny moment gripped the set. Sridevi found herself struggling with the exact same line that Divya had repeatedly faltered on. “It was surreal,” Raveena recalled. “We had goosebumps as the entire team sensed something strange. It felt as though Divya’s presence lingered.”

Caught in the emotional intensity of the situation, the entire crew instinctively turned to prayer. The Gayatri Mantra echoed across the set as cast and crew joined hands, seeking peace and calm. “I held Sridevi’s hand, and we prayed together,” Raveena said. As per tradition to ward off negativity, a coconut was broken before filming resumed.

Despite the eerie interlude, ‘Laadla’ was completed and released on March 25, 1994. It struck a chord with audiences and turned into a blockbuster hit. Many from the film’s crew believed that Divya Bharti’s blessings continued to guide the film, and her spirit lived on through its success.

The episode remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about behind-the-scenes stories—where cinema, emotion, and the spiritual seemingly collided on a fateful day.