How Did 'Saudagar' Transform the Bond Between Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Saudagar was a pivotal film in the careers of both actors.
- The film's success was due to a unified vision.
- Mutual respect can turn conflicts into friendships.
- Friendships in cinema can enhance collaborative efforts.
- Ghai's direction was critical in achieving a timeless classic.
Mumbai, Sep 6 (NationPress) Acclaimed filmmaker Subhash Ghai discussed how his 1991 film 'Saudagar' transformed the relationship between Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar.
He shared a nostalgic image of himself enjoying a lively conversation with the two cinematic legends on social media.
Ghai disclosed that the filming of 'Saudagar' wrapped up three months ahead of schedule, as everyone involved committed fully to the project under the unified direction of the filmmaker, resulting in a timeless masterpiece.
“Two LEGENDS of Hindi cinema in one film 'SAUDAGAR' in 1990, and it was completed three months earlier than planned because everyone was dedicated to realizing the vision of one man - the DIRECTOR,” he wrote on his official Instagram.
He further noted that by the conclusion of the project, Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar had developed a strong friendship.
“They became close friends by the end of the film... The film became a timeless classic... Only because of the mutual trust and affection between them,” the post concluded.
For those unfamiliar, these two actors first collaborated in 1959 on Ramanand Sagar's family drama 'Paigam'. In this film, a confrontation arose between the characters portrayed by Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar. At that time, Dilip Kumar was an established star, while Raaj Kumar was relatively new to the industry, playing the role of Dilip Kumar's elder brother.
According to the script, Raaj Kumar was meant to slap his younger sibling, Dilip Kumar, during a scene. However, he delivered the slap with such force that it left Dilip Kumar completely taken aback, causing a halt in production. Although Dilip Kumar wasn't physically harmed, he was quite disturbed by Raaj Kumar's actions and swore never to collaborate with him again. Eventually, Ghai brought these two actors together for 'Saudagar'.