Zarina Wahab reunites with Master Raju in nostalgic 'Chitchor' throwback
Synopsis
Nearly five decades after Chitchor charmed audiences in 1976, Zarina Wahab and Master Raju have reunited — and Wahab's affectionate social media post is all the proof fans needed that some on-screen bonds outlast the credits.
Key Takeaways
Zarina Wahab shared a reunion photograph with Master Raju , her co-star from the 1976 film Chitchor .
Chitchor , directed by Basu Chatterjee , was adapted from Subodh Ghosh's Bengali story and remade in Telugu , Malayalam , and Tamil .
Master Raju (Raju Shrestha) began as a child actor in the 1970s and has appeared in approximately 200 films .
His last theatrical release was Khamoshh...
Khauff Ki Raat in 2005 , directed by Deepak Tijori .
Zarina Wahab was recently seen in Dacoit: A Love Story , starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur .
Veteran Bollywood actress Zarina Wahab has shared a warm reunion photograph with child actor-turned-performer Master Raju, sparking a wave of nostalgia among fans of the 1976 classic Chitchor. The image, posted by Wahab on social media, captures the two co-stars decades after the film first charmed audiences across India.
The Reunion Post
Sharing the picture, Zarina Wahab wrote: 'Time a part hearts together....!! With my little Raju.' The affectionate caption underscored the enduring bond between the two, who had shared screen space nearly five decades ago in one of Hindi cinema's most beloved family films.
About Chitchor and Its Legacy
Released in 1976, Chitchor was directed by Basu Chatterjee and adapted from Subodh Ghosh's Bengali story Chittachakor. The film featured an ensemble cast including Vijayendra Ghatge, Amol Palekar, A. K. Hangal, Dina Pathak, Ritu Kamal, Shail Chaturvedi, and C. S. Dubey. Its story — centred on a father who accidentally brings home the wrong prospective groom, only for love to bloom unexpectedly — resonated widely enough to be remade in three regional languages: Telugu as Ammayi Manasu, Malayalam as Minda Poochakku Kalyanam, and Tamil as Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan.
Master Raju: A Career Spanning 200 Films
Master Raju, born Raju Shrestha, built his reputation as one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable child actors through the 1970s. His filmography includes memorable turns in Gulzar's Parichay and Kitaab, Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Bawarchi, and Yash Chopra's Daag: A Poem of Love, in addition to Chitchor. Over the course of his career, he has appeared in approximately 200 films and several television series, including the youth drama Ziddi Dil Maane Na. His last theatrical release was the 2005 mystery thriller Khamoshh... Khauff Ki Raat, directed and produced by Deepak Tijori — a reimagining of James Mangold's 2003 psychological thriller Identity.
Zarina Wahab: Recent Work and Personal Life
Zarina Wahab has had a distinguished career spanning Hindi and Malayalam cinema, with notable credits including Gopal Krishna, Madanolsavam, Chamaram, Palangal, and Adaminte Makan Abu. The actress, wife of actor Aditya Pancholi and mother of actor Sooraj Pancholi, was most recently seen in the romantic action drama Dacoit: A Love Story, starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur — a film about a man wrongfully convicted due to a partner's betrayal. The reunion post is a reminder of how deeply Chitchor continues to resonate, nearly five decades after its release.
Point of View
But it points to something larger — the enduring cultural footprint of Basu Chatterjee's middle-of-the-road cinema, a genre that rarely gets its due in nostalgia cycles dominated by masala blockbusters. Chitchor's quiet charm, rooted in everyday domestic comedy, crossed language barriers through three regional remakes — a feat few films of its era managed. That Wahab and Master Raju remain warmly connected decades later is a testament to the bonds forged on those sets, even as both have largely stepped back from the mainstream spotlight.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the connection between Zarina Wahab and Master Raju?
Zarina Wahab and Master Raju co-starred in the 1976 Hindi film Chitchor, directed by Basu Chatterjee. Wahab recently shared a reunion photograph with him, accompanied by an affectionate caption recalling their time together on the film.
What is Chitchor (1976) about?
Chitchor is a family drama about a father who accidentally brings home the wrong prospective groom for his daughter, only for love to develop between the two. Directed by Basu Chatterjee and adapted from a Bengali story by Subodh Ghosh, it was later remade in Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil.
How many films has Master Raju acted in?
Master Raju, born Raju Shrestha, has appeared in approximately 200 films over his career. He is best known for his child-actor roles in films such as Parichay, Bawarchi, Daag, and Chitchor, all from the 1970s.
What was Master Raju's last film?
Master Raju was last seen in a theatrical film in 2005 — the mystery thriller Khamoshh... Khauff Ki Raat, directed and produced by Deepak Tijori. The film was a reimagining of James Mangold's 2003 psychological thriller Identity.
What has Zarina Wahab been working on recently?
Zarina Wahab was recently seen in Dacoit: A Love Story, a romantic action drama starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur. The film tells the story of a man wrongfully convicted due to a betrayal by his partner.
