Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
In focus
When Yash Chopra wanted to make a film on extramarital affairs in 1981, he originally cast actors Parveen Babi and Smita Patil for lead roles alongside Amitabh Bachchan. However, later, the actors were replaced by Rekha and Jaya Bachchan. The development prompted several theories suggesting the changes were made over Amitabh Bachchan’s recommendation. A similar claim was made by author and journalist Hanif Zaveri in an interview in January.
“When Silsila was in the making and they cast Parveen Babi… she requested Yash Chopra to let her carry her costumes with her. She had become that possessive. She carried her costumes everywhere and even took them to Kashmir, where she was shooting for Kaalia with Amitabh Bachchan.”
Hanif recalled one of the initial incidents about the actor that made people around her think she was suffering from some mental issues. “She was good friends with cinematographer Parvin Bhatt. She once took him to her room and showed to him: ‘You see these clothes? They are my clothes for Silsila.’ Bhatt was shocked. He asked: ‘Why did you get them here?’ She shared, ‘Bombay mein chori hojati hai (They steal it in Bombay).’ It was at that moment when Bhatt realised Parvin is suffering from some mental illness.”
Hanif recalled another incident from the set which confirmed Parveen’s struggle with mental health. “During the shoot of Kaalia, Parvin Bhatt and Parveen Babi had their rooms on the same floor with some distance when he found her crawling towards his room. She thought she would fall if she walked. This time, Bhatt confirmed that she was sick.”
He added, “Even Amitabh Bachchan noticed some changes in her during their shoot for Kaalia. He called Yash Chopra and asked him to fly to Kashmir. When he reached the set, he noticed that her cheeks were swollen, maybe because of alcohol intake. This didn’t suit his Silsila character. And on top of that, he got worried about her struggle with mental health. He feared that if it gets worse in between the shoot of Silsila, his whole film will come to a halt. He then lied to Parveen saying they made changes in the film’s script and that her role has become too small. He made an excuse and removed her from the film. This, however, made a huge impact on the actress.”
The sudden changes in the casting of Silsila made Parveen believe Amitabh Bachchan was behind it. Several theories were also made. However, Hanif shared, “Even if Amitabh Bachchan got it all changed, it wasn’t because he had a problem with Parveen, but he was thinking for the film.”
Previously, in an interview with ANI, Parveen’s good friend and actor Ranjeet shared, “Once she was very upset and she was crying. I asked her ‘Kya hua Parveen? (What happened Parveen?)’ We were in Kashmir. I don’t mind quoting because it’s a fact. A film was made, Silsila, and Parveen Babi was the original heroine but she was asked to leave. And because of a gimmick controversy, they cast Rekha and Jaya Bhaduri in the film otherwise it was Parveen and Rekha.”
The actress has also reportedly accused Amitabh Bachchan of kidnapping her.
Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.
