Farida Jalal Recalls Supportive Sharmila Tagore on the Sets of Aradhana
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JULY 01,2024
Veteran actress Farida Jalal recently reminisced about her experience working on the iconic 1969 film Aradhana. Released in 1969, Aradhana, starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore, was a record-breaking blockbuster and remains a beloved classic in Indian cinema. Farida Jalal, who was a newcomer at the time, also played a pivotal role in the film.
Her memories, however, were not just about the success of the film. Jalal opened up about how her co-star, Sharmila Tagore, became a pillar of support for her during a tense moment with Rajesh Khanna.
A Nervous Newcomer Finds Support
Farida Jalal was just one film old when she began shooting for Aradhana. Describing her experience, she said, "I was the nervous one during the film's shoot. I was a convent girl, so you take a guess. I was raised by my maternal grandmother and my mother. I had an elder brother. My parents divorced when I was barely two years old, so I had no father figure. We were a small family. I was very shy and had just come out of school when I did that film, and I had a romantic song with Rajesh Khanna."Also Read: Sharmila Tagore: 5 Lesser Known Facts About The Breathtaking Actress Who Broke All The Stereotypes
Given her conservative upbringing, romantic scenes were a source of discomfort for the young actress. This feeling was amplified by the pressure of working with established stars like Rajesh Khanna.
Jalal went on to share how Sharmila Tagore, whom she fondly calls "Rinku di," became a source of immense support during this challenging time. "During Aradhana, I was inexperienced. I had just done one film and was shooting for another while also shooting for Aradhana. So, I was unsure about doing romantic scenes and songs. Sharmila Ji, whom I used to call Rinku Di, was such a pillar of support to me. She is so beautiful inside and out. She looked after me and was so protective all the time. Every time something happened and she saw my face drop, she would quickly come and stand beside me and even dismiss Rajesh Khanna."
Jalal recalled a specific instance where Tagore intervened during the filming of the romantic song "Baghon Mein Bahar Hai." Feeling conscious and requesting an additional rehearsal, Jalal recounted how Rajesh Khanna responded dismissively. This put a damper on her confidence. However, Sharmila Tagore was quick to defend her. As Jalal narrated, "She [Sharmila Tagore] told him, 'How can you say that? We will have 10 more.' She was a darling."
Also Read: Anand Remake: Amitabh Bachchan-Rajesh Khanna cult classic to be remade with a Covid twist