In a startling revelation, Raju Shrestha, famously known as Master Raju, has recounted a heated altercation between Bollywood legends Jaya Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna during the filming of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1972 classic, Bawarchi. The disagreement, which reportedly brought the shoot to a standstill, stemmed from Khanna’s remarks about the rising star Amitabh Bachchan, prompting Jaya Bachchan to defend her friend.
The incident, as described by Shrestha in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, highlights the underlying tensions and rivalries that characterized the Hindi film industry during that era. “There was an argument and the shooting had also stopped,” Shrestha recalled. “That fight was regarding Amitabh Bachchan. Jayaji was friendly with Amit Ji and Amitabh was also close to Rishi Kapoor and he was doing a film with him. Rajesh Khanna had his own problem.”
Rajesh Khanna’s Discomfort with Amitabh’s Rising Popularity
According to Shrestha, the crux of the conflict lay in Rajesh Khanna’s discomfort with Amitabh Bachchan’s burgeoning popularity. Khanna, who was then hailed as Hindi cinema’s first superstar, perceived Bachchan as a formidable challenger to his throne. “He didn’t want anyone to replace him, and Amitabh Bachchan was coming up with a lot of force,” Shrestha explained. The situation escalated when Khanna made a disparaging comment about Bachchan to Jaya, leading to the confrontation that halted production.
“Rajesh Khanna said something against Amitabh Bachchan to Jaya ji and that’s when they fought and the shooting was halted.”
The Turning Point in Hindi Cinema Stardom
This incident gains significance in the broader context of Bollywood’s history, as it foreshadowed a dramatic shift in the industry’s power dynamics. Just a year after the Bawarchi clash, Amitabh Bachchan’s career soared with the release of Zanjeer in 1973. The film marked the beginning of Bachchan’s reign as Bollywood’s “Angry Young Man,” a persona that resonated with audiences and led to a string of box-office successes, including Deewar, Sholay, and Namak Haraam.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Khanna, despite his earlier unprecedented success, faced a series of professional setbacks. His films began to underperform, and he experienced increasing isolation within the industry. This transition period in Hindi cinema is often viewed as a pivotal moment that redefined stardom and altered the trajectory of Bollywood’s leading men.
Implications and Reflections
Raju Shrestha’s recollection offers a rare glimpse into the personal insecurities and ego clashes that shaped the careers of Bollywood’s biggest stars. The incident on the Bawarchi set not only highlights the competitive nature of the film industry but also underscores the impact of personal relationships and rivalries on professional trajectories.
As Bollywood continues to evolve, these stories from the past serve as reminders of the ever-changing dynamics of fame and success. The clash between Jaya Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna, and the subsequent rise of Amitabh Bachchan, remain a testament to the unpredictable nature of the entertainment world.
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