Zeenat Aman reflects on an on-set humiliation by a director and shares that Amitabh Bachchan later offered her an apology.
Zeenat Aman and Amitabh Bachchan have worked together in several films, such as Laawaris (1981), Dostana (1980), Mahaan (1983) and Pukar (1983) to name a few. On Thursday, Zeenat shared a long post on Instagram about her former co-star and recalled an incident on set that left her in tears. Zeenat revealed she accepted Amitabh Bachchan’s apology after a ‘drunk’ unnamed director wrongly accused her of being late for shooting and humiliated her.
Zeenat shared Insta post on Big B’s birthday
Zeenat Aman started by writing that she missed wishing Amitabh on his 81st birthday, which was on Wednesday, so she was sharing ‘the story of the only time she remembers Amitabh being late to set’. The veteran actor wrote, “For reasons that will become clear – I’m not going to mention the name of the film we were shooting for, nor the year, nor the names of the director and producer involved.”
She then went on to narrate the incident, writing, “We had a morning shift that day, and I hitched a ride to set with the film’s producer. As always, I had my script in hand and rehearsed my lines as we drove to the studio. Upon my arrival I went directly to my makeup room, and informed the crew to send me a message once Mr. Bachchan was ready for the shot. Our ‘roll time’ came and went, but there was no sign of Mr. Bachchan. 30 minutes passed. Then 45. An entire hour went by before there was a knock on the door. An AD informed me the Mr. Bachchan had arrived. And that he’d run straight from his car to the set!”
Zeenat recalled that she ‘immediately leapt up and made her way downstairs’, but just as she stepped foot on set, from across the room, the director ‘let loose a torrent of abuse’. She wrote, “He was absolutely catatonic, and under the impression that it was I who had held up production. The cast and crew stood in stunned silence as this director ranted and raved at me. I couldn’t get a word in edgeways, and tears of indignation rushed to my eyes. I glared at the director, did an about turn, marched straight back to my makeup room and told my team to pack up.”
Amitabh Bachchan’s apology
“Even as they zipped up my makeup kit, the lovely producer arrived at my door, followed closely by Mr. Bachchan. ‘Babs, I know it’s my fault. The man is a fool and he’s drunk. Let it go and let’s get to work,’ he said. I accepted Mr. Bachchan’s apology of course but I was still stinging from the unwarranted dressing down I had received. I was in no mood to shoot after that humiliation. When I finally softened and agreed to come back on set, the director threw himself at my feet and begged my forgiveness. It was all rather melodramatic, and though I completed the film, I never worked with that director again,” Zeenat concluded.
Zeenat’s stellar career
Zeenat, who won both the Femina Miss India pageant and the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant in 1970, began her acting career the same year. Some of her early works include films such as The Evil Within (1970) and Hulchul (1971). Zeenat’s breakthrough came with the musical drama Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), followed by Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973).
Zeenat, who was a popular actor of the 70s and 80s, made her Instagram debut earlier this year and her posts often make headlines and have been praised by everyone from Karan Johar to Kajol.
The veteran actor will reportedly make her acting comeback with Manish Harishankar’s series Showsttopper. Zeenat’s debut web series will also feature Shweta Tiwari, Rohit Roy, Tannaz Irani, Bakhtiyar and Zarina Wahab.
Disclaimer: Except the headline and synopsis, this story has been taken from the HT News Service.