20 Years of Baghban: Hema Malini recalls working with Amitabh Bachchan and being reluctant to take up the role
Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan in a still from Baghban
'Baghban' is an emotional family drama that struck a chord with different generations. The film that stars Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini in central roles with special appearance by Salman Khan as the ideal son completes 20 years today. On this occasion, Hema Malini revealed that she was initially hesitant to essay the role of the sweet mother of four elderly boys. She was paired opposite Amitabh Bachchan and their chemistry was much appreciated.
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Talking to Hindustan Times, Hema Malini shared that she was not convinced that she would suit the role. "I was not doing too many films at that point, I had reduced the number. Actually, I was just not doing anything. That is when Ravi Chopra (director) came to me and narrated this subject. 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." Malini was assured that she will be presneted the wqay she is in real life and not an old woman with white hair.
During the making of the film with a deep emotional core, what stood out for the 74-year-old actress is Bachchan's jovial nature. "Sabne khushi khushi kaam kiya iss film mein (Everyone worked happily on this film). When Amit ji used to enter the set, he would bring so much light, all the workers used to light up and say ‘arre Amit ji aa gaye’ , unko lagta tha ab koi mazaak karenge. 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 (I don't know but he has become little serious these days)," she said.
Malini further shared that she got to know that the film is a hit when her daughter Esha Deol was working with Bachchan’s son Abhishek in 'Dus'. “They would keep telling me picture hit ho gayi hai, mujhe lagta tha mazaak kar rahe hain, but it turned out to be a fact,” she said.