Actress BJP MP Hema Malini recalls when Gulzar asked her to take off her wig, wear simple saris.

Actress BJP MP Hema Malini recalls when Gulzar asked her to take off her wig, wear simple saris.

Hema recently graced the launch of Gulzar’s authorised biography in Mumbai and at the event, the actor recalled working with the veteran filmmaker-lyricist over the years.

Hema shared an anecdote from the making of their 1975 film Khushboo when Gulzar cast her in a non-glamorous role.
She wanted to do something different at that time.

Adding that heroines in those days were recognised for their hairstyles and very loud makeup but Gulzar did not want his leading lady to look like that.

She further recalled that amidst those days, big hairstyles was the trend and actress had to wear heavy wigs. When she came to Gulzar’s set, the first thing he said was ‘no’. He said, ‘be natural, as you are. No wig, nothing’,” she recalled.

Hema then reminisced that when her mother accompanied her to the makeup room, they were in for another shock. When she went to the makeup room, she saw the sari she was going to wear. It was this simple sari with a non-matching blouse. She was very happy to wear that but her mother was like ‘this should more glamorous’. He immediately said no. She further shared that even the make-up was minimal.

Hema also revealed that it was a “little difficult” to adjust but “it was fun.” The actor shared that she had a habit of speaking fast in front of the camera, Gulzar got to slow down and speak clearly. He used to ask her ‘where does she had to go.
She would say that she has to go for another shoot’. He would say ‘shoot will happen later, you first speak slowly here’. It was very difficult for her to bring her speed down.

Gulzar did not want that so he would ask her to give multiple takes until she got it right. She shared, “He would say her eyebrow is dancing. Then she would control hersekfý8 and speak.”

Gulzar and Hema worked together in Khushboo, Kinara and Meera.

News Edit K.V.Raman