Kushboo Sundar broke her silence today, marking three decades since Silk Smitha left us. In a candid interview, the veteran actress recalled the first time she met the legendary performer on a Chennai set in the mid‑80s. \n\nBack then, Kushboo was in town for a 3‑D project helmed by Ashok Kumar, starring Arjun Sarja. The language barrier was real – Tamil felt alien – but the moment Silk walked onto the set, the atmosphere shifted. "She had an aura that pulled you in," Kushboo said, describing the 22‑year‑old star who spoke English with a hesitant charm. \n\n## A Glimpse into Silk's World \n\nWhat followed was a friendship that stretched across continents. The duo toured Europe together, headlining shows in Paris, Germany, Norway and Switzerland. Kushboo noted Silk's work ethic: first to arrive, last to leave, never indulging in diva tantrums. "She was aloof, sure, but that was her shield," the actress explained, adding that Silk designed her own outfits and jewellery, refusing to rely on costume houses. \n\nBeyond the glitz, Kushboo painted a picture of a woman yearning for normalcy. Silk, she said, longed for a family life that never materialised. She was in a controlling relationship, often buying gifts for her partner's children, hoping to stitch a semblance of ordinary domesticity into her chaotic world. "She wanted to be a regular wife, to live off‑screen like anyone else," Kushboo recalled. \n\nThe conversation turned personal when Kushboo confessed that both women were navigating tough phases in their lives. Silk, she said, confessed to feeling trapped by the very control she despised, a paradox that left her spiralling. "She kept giving until there was nothing left," Kushboo reflected, hinting at the emotional toll that eventually led to her tragic end. \n\nWhen news of Silk's death broke while Kushboo was shooting in Ooty, the veteran actress was devastated. "I just cried and cried," she admitted, still stunned that thirty years have slipped by. The grief, she said, feels as fresh as the day it happened. \n\nKushboo also addressed the stigma that followed Silk's career. The actress argued that today’s stars wear far more revealing attire, yet the label of "soft porn" still haunts women who perform item numbers. Silk, according to Kushboo, used her eyes and body as tools, always guarded, always aware of the gaze. \n\nThe reminiscence ends on a note of reverence. Silk Smitha, Kushboo believes, was a true diva – a professional who crafted her own style, who protected her sanity with a carefully built wall, and who, despite the turbulence, left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. "I’ve never seen anyone like her again," she concluded, a sentiment that resonates with fans still discovering the legend’s layered persona.
Photo via FilmfareKushboo Sundar Remembers Silk Smitha on 30th Death Anniversary
The veteran actress shares intimate memories of the iconic star, revealing a side rarely seen by fans and industry insiders alike.
In this story
Live site hype
around 3 reading right now · 372 today
Reported from
This article was written by the CutMirchi desk from the reporting above. Facts are attributed to their original publishers.
Read next

Director Thulasidas Revisits Silk Smitha on Layanam Anniversary
Thulasidas, the director of the 1989 Malayalam hit Layanam, opened up about Silk Smitha’s professionalism, the film’s controversial reception and the tragic parallels that followed the star’s untimely death.

Dharma Productions Secures Rs 12.11 Crore GST Relief from Bombay High Court
In a landmark judgment, Bombay High Court dismissed the GST authorities' claim that Dharma Productions' film‑rights licences were software, granting the studio relief of over Rs 12 crore and setting a precedent for the industry.

Dia Mirza mortgaged first home to fund Vidya Balan’s Bobby Jasoos
Dia Mirza disclosed that she mortgaged the home she bought after years of work to finance Bobby Jasoos, a 2014 film starring Vidya Balan, stressing the need for equal remuneration for women.

Mirzapur Movie Smashes Global Box‑Office Records in Third Weekend
Mirzapur: The Movie has become Excel Entertainment’s highest‑grossing film worldwide, clearing 311.35 crore in just over two weeks and setting three new box‑office milestones, Koimoi reports.

Be the first to comment
Join the argument. No password, just your email or a passkey.