managed to impress all with their roles as Raj Malhotra and Pooja Malhotra in the 2003 family drama In a recent interview, the late director Ravi Chopra’s wife Renu Chopra shared that the Dream Girl Hema Malini had suggestions to enhance her on-screen chemistry with Shehenshaah.
Talking to Pinkvilla, Renu said, “There was a scene where she was getting ready, standing in front of a mirror. At that time, Raj comes from behind and upon seeing her says, ‘Wow.’ Hema asked me to stitch her blouse a bit tight so that, when Amit ji comes, he can fasten the blouse tightly. She said, ‘That touch would give me the look I want’; one that conveyed, ‘He’s touched me. After so many years of being married, it meant so much.’ She is a very romantic person in real life.”
Renu even revealed that Hema was not the first choice to play Pooja Malhotra in Baghban, but the film was first offered to Tabu, who loved the story but refused to play the role of a mother to four children. Renu said Tabu’s aunt later scolded her for refusing Baghban stating, “Ye chhappal nikalke tumhare sir pe marungi. Why did you say no to this film?”
Baghban was a commercial success which made Rs 10 crore and it managed to earn Rs 45 crore at the global box office. The film also starred Aman Verma, Samir Soni, Saahil Chadha, and Nasir Khan. Salman Khan and Mahima Chaudhary made a special appearance and now the film has achieved its cult status.
During the same interview, Renu further revealed that finding a distributor for Baghban was initially a herculean task. She said that its theatrical run began slowly and gave them poor results. The film took a dramatic turn afterwards.
