Karisma Kapoor was ‘distracted’ as her relationship with Abhishek Bachchan fell apart: Dharmesh Darshan on their last film together

Director Dharmesh Darshan spoke about working with Abhishek Bachchan and Karisma Kapoor on Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, at a time when their engagement was falling apart, and said that Jaya Bachchan connected with the film's stance on infidelity.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | Updated: October 24, 2023 02:56 PM IST

3 min read

Abhishek Bachchan and Karisma Kapoor's engagement broke apart during the making of Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya.

Listen to this article

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Director Dharmesh Darshan said that it was a mistake to make the 2002 Abhishek Bachchan and Karisma Kapoor-starrer Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya. Reflecting on his lead stars’ disintegrating romantic relationship during the making of the film, Dharmesh also addressed Amitabh Bachchan’s negative comments about it, and said that Jaya Bachchan actually liked the film.

Asked what went wrong with Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya in an interview with Lehren Retro, Dharmesh said, “It’s not a film that I should have done. It’s one of their films which directors hand over to their assistants… It was the first and last time Abhishek and Karisma did a film together. Abhishek is a very sweet guy, but it wasn’t the same Lolo I’d seen during Raja Hindustani.” Dharmesh and Karisma had previously worked together on the Aamir Khan-starrer, which remains his biggest hit.

Also read | Leo box office collection day 5: Thalapathy Vijay’s blockbuster eyes Rs 450 crore global gross on Dussehra, to overtake Kamal Haasan’s Vikram

Asked about Abhishek and Karisma’s equation off-screen – their engagement broke apart during the making of the movie – Dharmesh continued, “Karishma was distracted, naturally, with the marriage thing… It showed in the film. I’m not a psychiatrist, I can’t interfere in their relationship. And I was hearing both sides, I’ll be honest with you. And I’m watching also…”

Reacting to Amitabh Bachchan calling Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya an ‘old-fashioned film’, Dharmesh said, “Yes, he said that. But Jaya ji loved the film, oddly. She loved the aggression of the girl, who says you had a one-night stand, I’m divorcing you. She loved that.”

In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Dharmesh’s brother Suneel Darshan also spoke about Abhishek and Karisma’s equation on set, and wondered if they were actually ‘meant for each other’. He said, “They were not really the made for each other kinds. There was a constant bickering… Maybe that’s how some people are ‘made’. I always wondered are they really the made for each other kind of pair? Abhishek is a sweet fellow, and Lolo is a very nice person, but maybe some things aren’t destined.”

Abhishek eventually tied the knot with Aishwarya Rai, and Karisma ended up marrying her now ex-husband Sunjay Kapur.

From the homepage