Veteran actor Raj Babbar arrived in Mumbai the city of dream with just Rs 100 in his pocket and big promise. The promise was to be cast in the film 'Namak Halal'
Babbar got the role after Vinod Khanna announced his retirment from movies, forcing the makers to replace him. However, things did not go as planned for Babbar
In a chat with Rajshri Unplugged, the actor recalled that even after Mehra cast him for the film in Delhi. "Prakash Mehra ne Delhi mein mera ek kaam dekh ke mujhe bulaya. Unhone mujhe do filmon ke liye sign kiya, Namak Halaal aur ek aur film, kyunki Vinod Khanna sahab filmein chood ke ja rahe the. Ye 1978 ki baat hai (Prakash Mehra called me after watching my play in Delhi. He signed me for a couple of films, including Namak Halaal because Vinod Khanna was about to quit films back then in 1978)," Raj Babbar said
(In pic: Raj Babbar shares screen with Dilip Kumar)
However, it was not the first time that Raj Babbar was promiosed something that did not materialise. He was summoned by screenwriter duo Salim-Javed for a role in Ramesh Sippi's Shakti, later played by Anil Kapoor
(In Pic: Raj Babbar with Yash Johar)
He informed Prakash Mehra that it is a big opportunity for him but he would require a place to stay for a year in the city as he had no relative there. When Mehra agreed, Babbar sold his scooter so that his wife, theatre personality Nadira Babbar, could sustain their household. But when Raj Babbar moved to Mumbai, he learnt that he had been dropped from the film. “Kuchh log mere sath kaam nahi karna chahte the (a few people didn't want to work with me),” he said in the video. The role was then essayed by late actor Shashi Kapoor
(In pic: Raj Babbar with Sunny Deol)
Babbar rose to fame with his brilliant performance of a rapist in BR Chopra's Insaf Ka Tarazu. After that, he became a consistent feature of the BR Chopra films like Nikaah, Majdoor and Aaj Ki Aawaz. He was last seen in the web series 'Happy Family: Conditions Apply' where he played a progressive head of the family
(In Pic: Raj Babbar with his sons Prateik and Aarya)
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