Actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar recently recalled a defining moment from the very start of his film career, an on-set accident involving the late Bollywood icon Sridevi amidst he shoot of Yash Chopra’s 1991 romantic musical ‘Lamhe’.
At 17, Farhan was associated as an assistant to cinematographer Manmohan Singh on the film, which featured Sridevi and Anil Kapoor. In the midst of a dance sequence choreographed by Saroj Khan, Sridevi was rehearsing a passionate scene when Farhan, rushing to clean a stain on the wooden floor, inadvertently caused her to slip.
Adding unfortunately, such an accident did occur. He was Man Ji’s seventh or eighth assistant on Lamhe. It was a typical Yash Chopra setup, a passionate dance sequence choreographed by Saroj Ji (choreographer Saroj Khan). Sridevi had to express her anger and pain through dance after she heard some bad news. The final shot was supposed to be a crane shot. While Sridevi was rehearsing, Manmohan Singh, who was checking the frame, noticed a stain on the wooden floor. He asked someone to clean it, and since Farhan was the closest, ran to wipe it off. He was bent down, cleaning the stain and coordinating with Man ji when she walked over, slipped, and fell. He still remembers it in slow motion, Sridevi flying in the air and hitting the floor. The entire set froze. He hought, this is it, his career is over.
Notwithstanding the fall, Sridevi laughed it off, telling Farhan, “It’s okay, it happens.” Her reaction eased the tension on set, allowing everyone to laugh and helping Farhan regain his composure. Everyone followed her lead and started laughing. That’s when he eventually breathed again.
Farhan later moved on to work in advertising before making his directorial debut a decade later with the critically acclaimed Dil Chahta Hai. Reflecting on his journey. He will always be thankful to Sridevi. He truly believes he owes his career to her.
News Edit KV Raman
