Hema Malini Initially Hesitant to Play Mother Role in ‘Baghban’ on Its 20th Anniversary
On the 20th anniversary of the emotional family drama ‘Baghban’, actress Hema Malini revealed that she initially felt awkward when offered the role of a mother to four elderly boys. The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini in central roles with a special appearance by Salman Khan, continues to strike a chord with different generations.
Malini, who was paired opposite Amitabh Bachchan in the film, shared her initial reservations with Hindustan Times. At the time, she wasn’t actively taking on many film roles and was unsure about playing a mother on screen. However, her mother’s encouragement and the fact that she would be opposite Amitabh Bachchan convinced her to take on the role.
During the making of ‘Baghban’, Hema Malini was particularly impressed by Amitabh Bachchan’s jovial nature and the positive atmosphere on set. She mentioned how Bachchan’s presence would light up the set, and everyone enjoyed working together happily. Malini noted that Bachchan seemed more serious in recent times compared to his demeanor during the film’s production.
Malini also shared an interesting anecdote about realizing the film’s success. It was her daughter, Esha Deol, who was working with Abhishek Bachchan in another film, ‘Dus’, who informed her about ‘Baghban’s’ hit status. Initially thinking it was a joke, Malini soon realized that the film had indeed become a success.
The actress’s initial hesitation gave way to a memorable performance in ‘Baghban,’ and the film continues to be cherished by audiences even two decades after its release.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The Mid Day English
