In a nostalgic revelation, choreographer and filmmaker Ahmed Khan has shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote from the making of the iconic 1995 film Rangeela. He recalled how a passionate dance sequence between Jackie Shroff and Urmila Matondkar in the song "Hai Rama" resulted in Matondkar getting a bruise.
The Aggressive Catfight Sequence
Speaking on the inaugural edition of SCREEN Spotlight, Khan, who got his big break as a choreographer with Ram Gopal Varma's Rangeela, detailed the incident. The shoot for the catfight sequence was taking place at Mehboob Studio. The choreography required Jackie Shroff's character to lift and spin Urmila Matondkar's character with intense aggression.
"Jaggu da (Jackie Shroff) makes it look very rough, but he's not. He's a soft man. But the way he held her, he got Urmila in one or two places," Ahmed Khan recounted. He explained that for the shot to look perfect, Shroff had to spin Matondkar for a full pivot. "He really spun her because that's the moment we wanted her to take a full pivot. That's when she got a bruise on her arm," he added.
A Young Choreographer's Dilemma
At the time, Ahmed Khan was only 19 years old and found it challenging to direct a seasoned star like Jackie Shroff. He remembered Shroff reassuring him, "Bhedu, tu tension mat le. Main sab sambhal loonga (Don't worry, I will handle everything)." Khan expressed his hesitation, questioning how a teenager could instruct a veteran actor to "hold the girl passionately."
He shared a vivid memory of Shroff preparing for the shot. "I still remember Jaggu da had a water spray in his hand. He sprayed water on his hands and started rubbing his hair. He said he'd look a little aggressive with that," Khan said. This gesture, according to Khan, was Shroff's way of showing solidarity and easing the young choreographer's nerves, signaling, "I'm with you, don't get scared."
Urmila Matondkar's Reaction and Director's Joy
Ahmed Khan also revealed that Urmila Matondkar did complain a couple of times during the shoot, saying, "He's pulling me too hard." However, she soon understood that the physicality was essential for the demands of the sequence. Khan stated that he was simply following instructions and got swept up in the moment.
The energy on set was amplified by director Ram Gopal Varma's enthusiastic reactions. "Ram Gopal Varma would get very excited after every shot. Like a kid, he'd just stand up and clap. That used to boost me," Khan said. He described the environment as one of "pampering" from Varma, which allowed creativity to flow without fear.
A Bond Forged in Childhood
Beyond the Rangeela set, Ahmed Khan and Urmila Matondkar share a unique history. Both began their careers as child artists under the mentorship of director Shekhar Kapur. Matondkar starred in Kapur's 1983 film Masoom, while Khan was featured in the 1987 superhero classic Mr. India.
"Urmila and I have a special bond because we're both child artists. And we've had two mentors — Shekhar Kapur and Ram Gopal Varma," Khan explained. He added that they were even neighbours for years after the success of Rangeela. "When I think of Urmila, it brings a smile to my face because the memories are brilliant. And we share a success story," the choreographer-turned-filmmaker fondly concluded.
The film Rangeela, released in 1995, remains a cult favourite for its music, vibrant visuals, and the performances of its lead actors, with the song "Hai Rama" being one of its most memorable highlights.
