Hema Malini on Baghban completing 20 years, got candid about her co-star Amitabh Bachchan and also talked about how she was initially apprehensive about playing a mother on screen.
Amitabh Bachchan-Hema Malini starrer Baghban clocked two decades on Tuesday (October 3, 2023). Over the years, the Ravi Chopra directorial has achieved a cult status of sorts for its take on family values and relationships.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Hema Malini walked down the memory lane and shared her fond memories about this film. The veteran actress revealed that when Ravi Chopra approached her for Baghban when she wasn’t doing too many films. She admitted that when she heard the narration, she was apprehensive about taking up the offer as she had to play a mother to four elderly boys in the film.
Hema told the publication, “I was not convinced because I had to play a mother to four elderly boys. I was feeling very awkward ‘main aisa kaise karun, maine aise mother ka role kabhi kiya hi nahi kisi film mein’ Then my mother said ‘if Amitabh Bachchan is doing it, then you can also do it, no problem. He is opposite you’, I said yes.”
She said that the makers assured her that she won’t be made to look like ‘an old woman with white hair’ and be presented the way she was in real life.
The ‘Sholay’ actress also opened up on filming romantic scenes with Amitabh Bachchan especially the song ‘Main Yahaan Tu Wahaan’.
She shared, “It was BR Chopra sahab’s (producer) dream, to make this film. He gave me a narration before the shoot started. He was watching all the scenes from day one. I think this must have been the romance he had at his home, with his partner. He wanted to bring all those things out.”
Further, Hema Malini also shared how back then, her co-star Amitabh Bachchan was much more jovial than he is now. She recalled how the crew of Baghban would get excited whenever the megastar would come on the set as they knew he would soon crack a joke or two.
“He used to be so jovial, fun loving. I don’t think he is like that anymore. Pata nahi, thoda serious ho gaye hain aaj kal (He has become a bit serious these days),” the actress shared with the portal.
Baghban revolves around an elderly couple’s struggle to regain their worth and dignity to themselves and others after being mistreated by their kids.
