Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini’s emotional performance in Baghban moved audiences to tears, making their on-screen portrayal of a devoted elderly couple particularly memorable. While they had previously shared the screen in films like Veer-Zaara, Sholay, Naseeb, and Andhaa Kaanoon, Baghban stood out for its heartfelt depiction of ageing parents torn apart by their children’s neglect.
Recently, Renuka Chopra—the wife of the late director Ravi Chopra, who directed Baghban—shared behind-the-scenes insights during an interview with Pinkvilla. She revealed an interesting detail about Hema Malini’s preparation for one of the film’s key scenes.
According to Renuka, Hema made a special request to the costume team: she wanted her blouse stitched tighter than usual for a particular moment in the film. The scene in question involved her character getting dressed in front of a mirror, while Amitabh’s character, Raj, walks in, admires her, and helps fasten her blouse. Hema believed that having Amitabh adjust the snug blouse would add a layer of emotional intimacy to the moment, conveying a deep, unspoken connection between husband and wife even after many years of marriage.
“Hema told me, ‘That touch will bring out the expression I want—the feeling of being cherished after so long.’ She’s a very romantic person at heart,” Renuka shared.
Additionally, Renuka disclosed that Hema Malini wasn’t the original choice for the role of Pooja Malhotra. The filmmakers initially approached actress Tabu, but she declined, saying she wasn’t comfortable playing the mother of four at the age of 36. This opened the door for Hema to take on the role, and her chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan ultimately became a major highlight of the film.