Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls his first catch-up with Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls
his first catch-up with Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha.

Unquestioningly, Vinod Chopra is one of the highly successful filmmakers in Hindi Cinema. As of now, he is weltering in the
acclaim of his recent success, 12th Fail, which he directed and produced. Featuring Vikrant Massey, the film is set to release in China. Recently, the filmmaker recalled he met the Sr Bachchan for the first time on the sets of the 1977 film Alaap directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and featured Rekha in the lead and Chopra was there to show him his first film. He told everyone that he had booked the screening place till 5 pm and the film could be watched only till then.

In a recent interview, the director said, “Now, Amitabh, Hrishi da, and Rekha are all busy working, and he noticed there’s some argument happening. Around 4, he started to feel that he wouldn’t get the time to watch his film.

A little while later, he left and was sitting outside, and he (Chopra) felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Amitabh Bachchan. He asked, ‘You have the booking till 5? Let’s go.

The filmmaker went on to add that the Silsila actor asked for a favor as he wanted to take a friend along. No points for guessing who the friend was. Vidhu Vinod Chopra said, “He asked if he could bring a friend along with him, and the friend was Rekha. He was angry because of the argument earlier, and we all got into the famous trailer.

In the same interview, the filmmaker revealed that after watching his first film, Amitabh Bachchan was keen on working with him. But he got an offer from Doordarshan that paid him Rs 5000 for a chauffeur-driven car. He grabbed the opportunity to drop the Sholay actor’s proposal.

Years later, the two collaborated together on Eklavya, featuring Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, and Sharmila Tagore.

News Edit K.V.Raman