Waheeda Rehman's Heartwarming Revelation About Rang De Basanti Scene with Aamir Khan
As the iconic film Rang De Basanti celebrates its 20th anniversary this month, veteran actor Waheeda Rehman has shared a delightful behind-the-scenes anecdote from the shooting. In an exclusive interview with SCREEN, the 87-year-old legend opened up about working with Aamir Khan and director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, revealing moments that highlight the film's enduring legacy.
The Memorable Warning to Aamir Khan
Waheeda Rehman recalled a particular scene where Aamir Khan's character had to lift her after her character was injured during police baton charge. "When I am severely injured during the scene where police use batons to clear the crowd, Aamir had to pick me up to take me to the hospital," she shared. "Tab maine unhe kaha, 'Aamir, yeh mat sochna ki mai halki hu, I am heavy, mujhe patak mat dena' (I am heavy, don't fling me inside casually)."
The veteran actor explained her concern came from wanting to ensure the scene went smoothly. "He said, 'Kya baat karahi hain Waheeda ji, I am very strong'. I was just warning him to be careful. It was nice working with him," she added with warmth in her voice.
Reflecting on Two Decades of Rang De Basanti
Waheeda expressed disbelief that twenty years have passed since the film's release. "I don't believe that 20 years have passed. I am very happy that I am a part of this wonderful movie," she said. "I might have a small role in some films but they are effective. Many people started the candle marches after this film."
The actor acknowledged the film's lasting impact, noting how few movies remain relevant for discussion decades later. "There are a handful of movies that you can talk about so many years later. Mujhe isse ehsaas hota hai ab ki meri badi umar hogayi hai (it makes me realise I am old now)," she reflected with characteristic honesty.
The Journey with Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Waheeda Rehman, who collaborated with Mehra on two films, revealed an interesting backstory about their working relationship. "He came to me for Delhi-6. He narrated the whole story to me, I liked it but he disappeared for around six months, so I thought maybe it didn't materialise," she shared.
"After a while, he came back and told me that we are making Rang De Basanti first," she continued. The actor emphasized her approach to selecting roles, stating "People mostly see how much footage is there on screen, but I see the impact, what is the character's contribution to the story."
The Persuasion for Delhi-6
After Rang De Basanti, when Mehra approached her for Delhi-6, Waheeda initially declined. "Because, every time I decide that I would stop working, vo koi na koi achi movie lekar aajaate the (he would come with a good movie offer)," she explained.
The director's persistence won her over in a charming manner. "It was so sweet of him. I was in Bangalore at that time. He flew down to narrate me the story," she recalled. "My son was there, he told him that please tell your mother, she has to do it, otherwise I will make the set here on your farm. I said yes then."
She fondly remembered the filming experience, "It was good fun, we mostly shot the film in Jaipur. It was a very deep movie, every artist worked hard on it. There were such great songs."
Atul Kulkarni's Perspective on the Film's Legacy
Co-star Atul Kulkarni, who played Laxman Pandey in the film, also shared his thoughts during the interview. He addressed whether such a film could be made in today's socio-political climate, stating "Unfortunately yes. Art in any country at any time needs to be independent of the viewers."
"If filmmakers have a compulsion of thinking who is going to watch or object, what the censor board is going to say, I don't think real art can be produced," he added. "The kind of things we hear everyday in terms of art, it would be difficult to make such a film today."
The Unique Creative Process
Kulkarni revealed fascinating details about the film's preparation, particularly regarding A.R. Rahman's involvement. "I remember we had done a 20-25 day rehearsal in the studio before starting the shoot," he shared.
"On the first day of shoot, all the cast was there and we had read the entire script, it was recorded, and it was sent to AR Rahman to work on the background score of the songs," he explained. "He had all the characters reading their own parts like a play. The process was so intense."
Enduring Bonds Two Decades Later
Perhaps most touching was Kulkarni's observation about the lasting connections formed during the film. "There are very few films that you see where the entire unit is in touch even after so many years, and that happened with Rang De Basanti," he said.
"We talk, meet each other, it is the spirit of that film that still exists," he continued. "The credit goes to Aamir and Rakeysh, they being the most senior and the captains. It comes very naturally to them."
The actor emphasized the film's real-world impact, noting "It had a practical impact on the people, on the ground. When you see people marching with candles in their hands at India Gate, you get to see the impact."
As Rang De Basanti completes twenty years, these revelations from Waheeda Rehman and Atul Kulkarni offer a precious glimpse into the making of a film that continues to resonate with audiences across generations. The candid memories, from weight warnings to enduring friendships, underscore why this cinematic masterpiece remains etched in India's cultural consciousness.
