Kapoor explained that when Sridevi’s mother initially quoted INR 10 lakh for her to star in a film, he promptly offered INR 11 lakh. He elaborated that Sridevi was a major star at the time, and he was keen to have his brother cast opposite a leading actress. His first meeting with Sridevi was in Mumbai, where she directed him to speak with her mother regarding her professional engagements.

During a conversation with Sridevi’s mother in Chennai, Kapoor skillfully navigated the negotiation despite language barriers. He understood that her mention of ’10 rupees’ actually signified INR 10 lakh. Having researched Sridevi’s previous film remuneration, which was around INR 8.5 lakh, Kapoor initially considered offering INR 9 lakh. However, when her mother stated the fee, he countered by offering INR 11 lakh, a move that surprised her. The negotiation continued with Kapoor agreeing to cover additional staff expenses, eventually settling on INR 11 lakh for her services.

This initial deal set a precedent. Kapoor revealed that for the film ‘Chandni’, he negotiated a fee of INR 15 lakh after speaking with Yash Chopra. Later, for ‘Khuda Gawah’, Kapoor strategically proposed a future fee of INR 25 lakh, which Sridevi’s mother eventually accepted, demonstrating Kapoor’s long-term planning and influence.

Sridevi remains one of Indian cinema’s most cherished icons. Her untimely death in 2018 in Dubai left a void in the industry. The circumstances of her passing, accidental drowning complicated by heart failure, were a profound shock to her fans and colleagues worldwide.

However, the question remains: is this a straightforward task? The success of their discussions hinges on whether both leaders can agree to terms. Trump has cultivated an image as a master dealmaker, but Putin’s extensive experience, political acumen, and strategic maneuvering position him as a more seasoned player. Therefore, convincing Putin to accept Trump’s terms will not be easy. To understand who might have the upper hand, one can examine recent examples.

Trump’s past dealings have been marked by controversy and failures. For example, consider North Korea. Trump expressed his readiness to re-engage in discussions with Kim Jong Un to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea. However, Kim Jong Un’s influential sister made it clear that the U.S. must acknowledge North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed nation, also warning that any dialogue would not lead to disarmament. In the case of Iran, Trump withdrew from the Barack Obama-era nuclear agreement during his first term, but did not present a new, enduring agreement. During his second term, he issued Iran a deadline to comply with the nuclear deal’s terms; however, neither Iran nor Israel conceded, and this deadlock resulted in a 12-day war. Iran remains steadfast in its stance to this day.

Trump’s failures extended to Brazil. He attempted to bring Brazil in line with his policies, but failed. He imposed a heavy tariff of up to 50% on Brazil to protect his old friend and former President Bolsonaro from lawsuits, but the current Brazilian President, Lula da Silva, did not yield. The result was a deterioration in relations between the two countries. These incidents demonstrate that Trump’s deal-making tactics often garner initial attention but frequently become entangled or remain unfinished.

Vladimir Putin’s approach to dealmaking is distinctly different from Donald Trump’s. He is considered a leader who prioritizes action over rhetoric. According to experts, Putin negotiates agreements within a highly controlled environment. A recent example of this is his relationship with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean dictator.

Kim Jong Un is considered one of the most isolated and untrustworthy leaders in the world, but Putin has gradually, and without fanfare, made Kim a close ally. North Korea has even sent its soldiers to assist Russia in the war in Ukraine. In essence, while Trump’s deals often remain within the realm of media headlines and initial buzz, Putin’s deals are often solidified behind the scenes and have a lasting impact for years.