Kamal Ghorui
Baghban, directed by Ravi Chopra, remains one of those rare films that continues to divide audiences even decades after its release. While some celebrate the family drama starring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini, others have criticised its messaging over the years.Amid the film’s enduring popularity and debate, Mahima Chaudhry has now revealed that she was initially reluctant to be a part of the project.“When Ravi ji called me for Baghban, I had no intention of doing the movie because he said Salman Khan and I had guest appearances,” she shared in a recent conversation with Bollywood Hungama.
“All I was getting were two-four scenes or a song”
Opening up about that phase in her career, Mahima said she was being repeatedly offered brief roles and cameos.“People started feeling that if they included me in one of their songs, the movie would become a hit. It was very nice to be considered a lucky mascot, but all I was getting were two-four scenes or a song. I was very reluctant,” she said.
“I went to say no to him, but I couldn’t”
Despite her hesitation, Mahima decided to meet Ravi Chopra out of respect for him and his father, veteran filmmaker BR Chopra.“When he suggested coming and meeting me, I immediately told him that I would come over. I went to say no to him, but I couldn’t,” she recalled.She added, “My secretary at that time even stepped in, saying he would do it. But I stopped him, saying, ‘I will do this one more movie. It’s okay.’”
“I am so happy today… good came out of it”
Looking back, Mahima described the decision as one of the most rewarding of her career.“I am so happy today. Not just that I got to work with Amitabh Bachchan, but the movie continues to have very good shelf-life. Even now, people come up to me saying they love the film and its songs. Good came out of it,” she said.While Salman Khan and Mahima appeared in extended cameos as the younger couple in the film, Baghban went on to become one of the most talked-about family dramas of its time.
