As a fervent admirer of Hindi cinema, I have always revered Rajesh Khanna for his unparalleled stardom and indelible impact on the industry. However, after listening to Shabana Azmi’s heartfelt account of working with him under challenging circumstances during the shoot of Avtaar, my admiration for the legendary actor has soared to new heights.
Rajesh Khanna is commonly recognized as the initial superstar within Bollywood, holding a unique level of adoration that remains unrivaled. His fanbase was vast, and he significantly influenced the film industry during his time, essentially shaping an era. However, in more recent times, Shabana Azmi, who co-starred with him in the 1983 film Avtaar, shared her account of working alongside him amidst challenging situations where he experienced hardships similar to others and declined to capitalize on his fame.
In an open conversation with Radio Nasha, esteemed actress Shabana Azmi reminisced about the difficult moments during the filming of the well-known song “Chalo Bulaawa Aaya Hai” from her 1983 movie Avtaar. This song has earned a unique spot in the affections of worshippers at the Vaishno Devi shrine.
Back then, the location we were filming at was far from being fully developed. Yet, amidst these challenging circumstances, we persevered – myself included, along with our esteemed lead actor, Rajesh Khanna. We didn’t let the hardships hinder our dedication and continued shooting without a single complaint.
The actress who played Neerja explained that filming required the cast to hike up to a temple at an elevated location, as there were no helicopter services available during that time. Additionally, given its location in Jammu and Kashmir, the harsh weather conditions and limited facilities posed significant challenges for them.
Speaking about filming for ‘Chalo Bulaawa Aaya Hai’ under Avtaar, she shared that it was a challenging experience. At that time, helicopter services weren’t available, so we had to walk all the way to the temple. Along the journey, there were no restroom facilities either. It was an incredibly tough situation, she added.
She asked the host if he could envision a famous figure like Rajesh Khanna standing in lines with Dalda meal boxes and filming in freezing temperatures. Shabana pointed out that their group slept on floors in Dharamshala, and despite using twelve blankets, they were still unable to keep warm. However, they all persevered and completed their tasks.
In a casual and straightforward manner, she emphasized Anand’s down-to-earth demeanor and unwavering dedication to work even under challenging circumstances by saying, “During that period, Rajesh Khanna couldn’t just act like a superstar. We all worked together with enthusiasm.
For those who might not know, this movie significantly contributed to Khanna’s professional comeback, following a decline in his career popularity during the late 1970s. This film paved the way for him to regain his star status, with subsequent hits like Souten and Agar Tum Na Hote further solidifying his success.
I’ve been fortunate to share a deep bond of friendship with Khanna over the years, and our collaboration in seven movies has consistently brought joy to viewers through our on-screen camaraderie.
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2024-12-01 05:07