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BBachchan-Nana
The celebration to mark the music release of Mehul Kumar's Kohram turned out to be a stag-arty when only the male stars, Amitabh, Nana Patekar, and Danny attended the occasion. Mehul had convened the party late to coincide with his birthday and also because the Big B was flying off to Egypt the next day to do some stage-shows. He eventually had to cancel that trip. "My film Kohram scheduled for an Independence Day release is different from Hindustan Ki Kasam. It revolves around terrorism with an army undercurrent," says Mehul who completed the film in record time.
"Since I was handling two mega-stars (Bachchan and Nana), I had given them a bound script of Kohram and a combined narration before the shooting commenced. So there is an exciting constant tug-of-war and one-upmanship throughout the film between Amitji and Nana, but off screen they shared a friendly rapport," explains the director. Mehul has ensured that Bachchan plays his real-life age with Jayaprada as his wife. And there are no romantic scenes picturised on Amitabh. Tabu plays Nan's silent lover, and is cast as a corrupt cop while Kabir Bedi and Jackie Shroff have put in guest appearances. Patekar is now keen on signing the Big B for his next venture, which he plans to direct. Bachchan hasn't accepted as yet.
Hindustan Ki Kasam party
When Hindustan Ki Kasam was launched, little did we anticipate that the film would precisely reflect the present situation," said Amitabh Bachchan, who incidentally plays Kabeera, a retired army officer in the mould of a sutradhar. The occasion was the completion party hosted by Veeru Devgan who makes his directorial debut in the war-espionage magnum opus starring Ajay Devgan, Manisha Koirala, Sushmita Sen, Kashmira Shah, Mallika, Noopur Aliza, Prem Chopra and Navin Nischol, besides the Big B of course.
Kajol was present, making her first public appearance after her marriage to Ajay. Quite alive and well, inspite of false rumours about her 'death'. She was the centre of attraction but remained in the background. Sushmita Sen who plays a Miss Universe in the movie was missing and Manisha made a late entry. Clad in a trekker's get-up she almost had an identity crisis as she entered the party. No one recognised her until Bachchan spotted her and called her on stage where the cassette release formalities were in progress. Apparently, the Dil Se heroine had gone out of her way to attend the function.
Kajol, a lazy bone! No way. Put on an extra few pounds after marriage! No. She was present at the music release of the Devgan home production Hindustan Ki Kasam. Slim and svelte, attired in a fetching blue salwar suit, she kept by hubby Ajay Devgan's side all evening. She smiled gloriously but refused to go up the dais and address the gathering. Kads remained elusive while Ajay tried to sneak off stage. But Amitabh Bachchan summoned him to say a few words. "Thank you," said Ajay and disappeared. The newly weds held hands all evening but were as reserved as ever. But they've stopped scowling at the press.
Bachchan recalled his long-standing association with producer-director Veeru Devgan. "He was an assistant fighter when we worked together for the first time in Reshma Aur Shera. He's come a long way on the strength of his sheer hard work and grit," he remarked.
(Source: Filmstrip)