Aruna Irani: Amitabh Bachchan cancelled Day 1 shoot of 'Bombay to Goa' over dance struggles
Synopsis
Aruna Irani's latest revelation flips the script on Amitabh Bachchan's early image: the future megastar was so out of step with the choreography on Day 1 of 'Bombay to Goa' that the shoot was scrapped entirely — only for him to return the next day and, by Irani's own account, dance 'like magic.' It is a rare, first-hand reminder that even Bollywood's biggest icons had to earn their footing.
Key Takeaways
Aruna Irani revealed that Amitabh Bachchan had the first day of filming cancelled on Bombay to Goa (1972) because he could not execute the song's dance movements correctly.
After an overnight rehearsal, Bachchan returned the next day and delivered what Irani described as a 'magical' performance.
The film's iconic bus song was shot over three days in total — effectively two productive days — on a purpose-built set in Madras , after an initial trip to Belgaum .
Bombay to Goa (1972) is regarded as a cult classic, known for its songs and the comic performances of Mehmood and Tun Tun .
At 83 , Bachchan is set to begin shooting the new season of Kaun Banega Crorepati from 1 August .
Veteran Bollywood actress Aruna Irani has revealed that a young Amitabh Bachchan was so unprepared for the choreography in the 1972 cult classic Bombay to Goa that the very first day of filming the song sequence had to be called off. The candid recollection offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into what became one of Hindi cinema's most beloved road comedies.
What Aruna Irani Recalled
Speaking about those early days on set, Irani said: 'Jab Amitabh ji iss film mein kaam kar rahe the as a hero, toh uss waqt toh bilkul naye-naye the. Dance-vance toh unko bilkul nahi aata tha, first day toh shooting cancel ki thi unhone because movements woh correctly kar nahi pa rahe the. Uske baad unhone rehearsal ki aur next day shoot ki. Par next day jo shoot ki, aisa dance kiya unhone ki pata nahi lagta kaun sa jaadu ho gaya, Bohot acchha kiya unhone.'
In essence, Bachchan — then a relatively new face in the industry — could not keep up with the fast-paced choreography on Day 1. After an overnight rehearsal, however, he reportedly delivered a performance that left the team astonished, with Irani describing it as nothing short of magical.
The Iconic Bus Sequence: How It Was Shot
Irani also shed light on the logistical journey behind the film's memorable bus song. According to her, the production began by actually travelling to Belgaum by bus before the unit returned to Madras (present-day Chennai), where a dedicated bus set had been constructed for the song shoot.
'Pehle jab shooting shuru hui thi toh bus se shuru hui thi. Bus mein hi Belgaum gaye the. Uske baad we came back to Madras, Madras mein unhone set lagaya tha bus ka aur wahan pe shoot kiya tha yeh gaana, bas teen din mein. Woh ek din jo waste hua tha wohi, baaki aise dekho toh gaana doo hi din mein hua,' she added.
The song was effectively completed in two days of actual filming — the third day being the cancelled first attempt. It is a detail that underscores how swiftly the production recovered once Bachchan found his footing.
About Bombay to Goa
Released in 1972, Bombay to Goa has endured as a cult favourite in Hindi cinema, celebrated for its breezy storyline, memorable music, and the comic performances of legendary actors Mehmood and Tun Tun. For Bachchan, it was one of the early films that helped establish his screen presence before his superstar years.
Bachchan at 83: What He Is Up To Now
More than five decades after Bombay to Goa, Amitabh Bachchan remains one of Indian entertainment's most active figures. At 83, the megastar is preparing to return as host of the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, with the shoot of the upcoming season reportedly set to begin on 1 August.
Point of View
And his overnight turnaround, reflect a discipline that mainstream hagiography tends to gloss over. What is also notable is how candidly a peer from that era speaks about it, suggesting that within the industry, the story was never a secret — only the public is hearing it now, more than 50 years later.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Amitabh Bachchan's first day of shooting for 'Bombay to Goa' cancelled?
According to actress Aruna Irani, the shoot was called off on Day 1 because Bachchan was unable to correctly perform the fast-paced dance movements required for one of the film's songs. He rehearsed overnight and returned the following day to complete the sequence.
What did Aruna Irani say about Amitabh Bachchan's dancing in 'Bombay to Goa'?
Irani said that Bachchan 'didn't know how to dance at all' during the initial shoot, but after rehearsing, his performance the next day felt like 'magic.' She described his eventual effort as absolutely wonderful.
Where was the bus song in 'Bombay to Goa' filmed?
The song was primarily filmed on a purpose-built bus set in Madras (present-day Chennai). The production had first travelled to Belgaum by bus before returning to Madras for the set shoot, completing the song in effectively two days of filming.
What is 'Bombay to Goa' and why is it considered a classic?
'Bombay to Goa' is a 1972 Hindi comedy film that has since attained cult status, celebrated for its iconic songs and the comic performances of legendary actors Mehmood and Tun Tun. It was also an early film in Amitabh Bachchan's career.
What is Amitabh Bachchan doing now?
At 83, Amitabh Bachchan is set to return as host of the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, with the shoot for the upcoming season reportedly beginning on 1 August.
