BR Chopra and Dilip Kumar work together in four films but not many know that veteran actors are also the original choice for ‘Baghban’, which was made 20 years later with Amitabh Bachchan.
Renu Chopra, BR Chopra’s son-in-law revealed a true story about ‘Baghban’ and said, “My father-in-law should have made the film with Dilip Kumar and Rakhee, but he chose out and then he fell ill.
It was never made.”
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The film was revived 20 years later with Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini and Renu added,
“Some changes were made in scripts, the story was made to look contemporary with Valentine’s Day but the essence of the subject was maintained.
Ravi did invite Dilip Kumar for the film Muhail but he began to be unhealthy and limited to a wheelchair.” Renu added, “When we left.
To invite them to Muhurat, Saira remembers the entire story of the film told to be dilip Saab.
All scenes were embedded in his mind and he was impressed with the romance of the elderly pair.
”
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Dilip Kumar works with Chopras in films such as ‘Naya Recycling’, ‘Didasaan’, ‘Mazdoor’, and ‘Dahleez’ and he never forgets the relationships that are falsified between them.
Renu quotes the incident from the ‘Naya Recycling’ set.
He said, “The film was shot in a place close to Bhopal and Mrs.
Chopra who was used to treat the kitchen and Ravi were only around 7 years old.
One day, my mother-in-law had to go to buy some provisions so that Dilip Kumar asked him to go and say, ‘Play Ravi Ko Nehla Dunga’.
This shows the humility of the man.
And I have to tell you I am his favorite shoulder.
”
Dilip Kumar often visits Chopra’s household and will sit and smoke with their driver before he enters the house.
Renu said, “We have an old driver named Balram and every time he dilip Saab comes home, he will call Balram and say,” Bidi nikal! Bidi Peete Hain ‘.
He will sit at the gate, smoke Bidi with Balram and then enter.
”
‘Chanakya Chandragupta’ which will be directed by BR Chopra and produced by Kishore Sharma, also should display Dilip Kumar, but the film did not take off when the producer died.
This is probably the only chance of Dharmendra had to work with Dilip Kumar, unfortunately it didn’t work.
Renu confirmed and said, “Chopra Saab assured him to play Chanakya with Dharmendra as Chandragupta and Zeenat as Helena, but the film was not made.”
