Few people influenced legendary actor Sridevi’s life and career as profoundly as her mother, Rajeswari Yanger. The late actor often acknowledged her mother’s pivotal role in shaping her journey. “Whatever I am today is because of my mother. She played a huge part in my successful career. If I can raise my children even 50% as well as she raised me, I’ll be happy,” Sridevi once said in an interview.

Rajeswari accompanied her daughter to nearly every film set and was known to be closely involved, even in the selection of films. However, it was a tragic health episode involving her mother that left Sridevi deeply shaken — one that those close to her describe as the most painful chapter of her life.

In 1995, Rajeswari was diagnosed with a brain tumour on the left side of her brain. Though initial treatment began in Chennai, Sridevi insisted on seeking the best possible care, eventually taking her mother abroad on doctors' advice. Surgery was arranged at a hospital in New York.

During this time, Boney Kapoor, who had earlier approached Sridevi with a romantic proposal, stepped in to help with arrangements. Although Rajeswari had not previously accepted Boney as a prospective son-in-law, this period of crisis changed her perception. Reportedly, she even urged Sridevi to act in one of his productions free of charge.

Sridevi was the only person present during Rajeswari’s surgery. Moments before being taken into the operation theatre, Rajeswari held her daughter’s hand tightly — visibly afraid. Tragically, her fears were not unfounded. Due to a shocking medical error, doctors operated on the right side of the brain instead of the left. It was later revealed that the surgeon had mistakenly brought in the X-ray of another patient. The result was catastrophic: Rajeswari suffered memory loss, and her health never fully recovered.

The incident made headlines both in Indian and American media. Although Rajeswari later underwent surgery at another hospital to remove the actual tumour, the damage from the initial error was irreversible.

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From (L) Sridevi with her mother Rajeswari Yanger

The trauma left Sridevi devastated. She reportedly blamed herself for choosing the hospital and struggled with guilt over not being able to ensure better treatment. She later filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital and was awarded compensation exceeding ₹7 crore.

However, the settlement led to a rift within the family. Sridevi’s sister, Srilatha, claimed she did not receive her share of the compensation. The matter went to court, which eventually ruled that Sridevi must pay her sister ₹2 crore. Following this, the two sisters became estranged. However, they reconciled later on.

Interestingly, a portion of the 1998 Tamil film Jeans was reportedly inspired by Rajeswari’s medical ordeal. The character based on her was portrayed by actor Lakshmi.

This deeply personal and painful chapter in Sridevi’s life remains a lesser-known, yet significant, part of her legacy — a reminder of the burden of fame, the fragility of life, and the cost of even the smallest error in the world of medicine.