Double take with Hema Malini

The serial is coming 37 years after the film.
Do you think today’s generation will connect with it?
Seeta Aur Geeta is an evergreen subject. It is humorous,light-hearted and projects the concept of good versus bad. And since it has the girl playing the central role,it is even better. Heroines rarely get a chance to do such roles.

Of the two characters Seeta and Geeta,which is your favourite?
I like both of them,but I think I am more like Geeta,rather I have become like her,outspoken and aggressive. My daughters used to love watching the film when they were children.

Tell us some memorable incidents that happened during the shoot,
There are many memories but the one scene that gave me the jitters was the one where I’m perched on top of a fan. When Ramesh Sippy narrated the scene to me I thought it was a joke. He told me it was important as it had a funny incident preceding it. Still,I was quite scared and I asked him to do it himself first.
Frankly,whenever Rameshji asked me to do something that was unusual I made him do it first,like the tanga scene in Sholay. I had never driven a tanga in my life and was quite apprehensive. Another incident that comes to my mind is the skating scene with Sanjeev Kumar. It was great fun to be on the skates and the song Hawa ke saath saath filmed on us was beautiful. In fact,all the songs composed by R D Burman in the film were great. I hear that they are also using the songs in the serial.

Have you seen any episodes?
No,but whatever I have seen of the promos looks good.

Do you think Anjorie Alagh fits the roles of Seeta and Geeta?
That depends on her performance.

Would you be happy if your daughter Esha played the role if the film were to be remade?
I’m sure she would like to do it but I don’t want her to play the characters that I have done. I want her to do something different. She is a fine actress.

Are you planning to do any movies with daughter Esha?
Yes we are doing a film together. It is being directed by Deepa Sahi.

Years ago you had done a serial,Nupur.
That was my debut directorial venture and it explored classical dance. The dialogue was written by Gulzar. The serial was of 13 episodes and that is how I like it. Sometime back,I had done Kamini Damini,which went on for 200-250 episodes,I couldn’t continue with it,it is too tough for me.

Recently you judged the show Dancing Queen on Colors. Are you open to more such shows?
Yes,I enjoyed it, though I was a little shocked with the way the girls were dressed. Even some of their dance movements shocked me. But I guess that is the way it is today.