Over the past few years, Bollywood has lost several iconic stars to illness or health issues, leaving fans heartbroken. Exactly 36 years ago, legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra delivered a romantic drama that went on to become a massive success.
The film featured an evergreen trio who won hearts across, with the lead actress emerging as a cultural phenomenon. Tragically, all three stars are no longer with us. What’s more sad is that even the director of the film, died even before all of them.
Chandni cast and box office collection
Well, we are talking about the 1989 superhit release Chandni, starring Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi in lead roles. Apart from them, the musical romantic drama also starred Waheeda Rehman, Anupam Kher, Sushma Seth, Mita Vashisht, and Manohar Singh in pivotal parts. The film not just captivated audiences with its enchanting music, incredible cinematography and emotional storyline, but also marked a defining moment in Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi’s career. The story revolved on a love triangle, where both male leads fall for Chandni, portrayed by Sridevi.
Chandni became a success at the box office. Made on a budget of Rs 8 crore, the film reportedly earned Rs 27.2 crore, which is equivalent to approximately Rs 291 crore in current scenario.
Chandni stars died within 4 years
Chandni starred three of the biggest superstars of the era- Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi. Unfortunately, all three stars passed away around the same time. Vinod Khanna passed away on 27 April, 2017 at the age of 70 due to bladder cancer.
After Vinod Khanna, the film industry was shocked to hear the news of untimely demise of Sridevi in 2018. The cause of her death was declared to be accidental drowning in a bathtub following a loss of consciousness. Just two years later, in 2020, Rishi Kapoor lost his long battle with cancer. Even before the loss of the film’s leading trio, Chandni’s director Yash Chopra had passed away in 2012. Just before the release of his final film Jab Tak Hai Jaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, he died of dengue fever.