I bear in mind taking pictures for Anupama at 5 a.m. in Khandala for the Kuch dil ne kaha tune. Oh, such pretty reminiscences! It was all the time like an adda. He would by no means scream or shout; he would clarify the shot to the cameraman after which return to taking part in chess. His solely grievance throughout Anupama was about my bouffant within the tune. He would continuously say, “Don’t thoughts your make-up; make up your thoughts.”
He was so economical in his pictures, and we’d wrap up shoots in a short time. He favored my performances in Apur Sansar and Devi, and maybe that’s what made him forged me in Anupama. I don’t suppose anybody might dictate to him about casting or anything. He was fairly clear about no matter shot he was taking—no pointless wastage of time or movie. I bear in mind him taking part in chess with Tiger Pataudi between pictures and even praising him, although I’m positive Hrishida was a much better chess participant.
I recall a tune sequence in Mahabalipuram for Chupke Chupke when Dharam was late. Hrishida waited for some time after which simply went forward and shot with out him. Later, on the modifying desk, he confirmed Dharam on the finish of the tune, zipping up his trousers exterior a gents lavatory. He was a wizard with modifying. Not too long ago, after a bout of sickness, I rewatched Chupke Chupke, and it hasn’t aged in any respect. It has an exquisite shelf life. I bear in mind texting Dharam about it.
Hrishida advised essentially the most politically incorrect jokes, lots of that are unprintable, however we’d all have a very good snicker.
We’ve one thing extra in frequent: he had a protracted tenure as chief of the Censor Board, and so did I for seven years, lengthy after he had left the submit.
As an actor, I might have liked to behave in Abhimaan too, however I suppose that was to not be. Jaya and Amit had been so good. I’ve liked all of Hrishida’s movies, particularly Mili and Guddi. Jaya simply aced them.
Externals by no means mattered to him. Hrishida, as I discussed earlier than, was so economical; he by no means actually cared about set design or props. He simply targeted on the core of the scene and noticed nuance in all of it. I bear in mind his directions to Dharam throughout Satyakam: “Dharam, you aren’t you. You might be an sincere man.” And Dharam actually shone in that movie. In that final shot the place I tore up the letter, I requested for a retake. He stated, “No means. You possibly can’t do higher than this; depart it to me.” I believe I regarded very lovely in Satyakam, particularly within the scenes the place she quietly watches her husband at work.
I might ceaselessly go to Hrishida, and I bear in mind the canine odor in his home. It was filled with canine; he liked them. He would converse to all his employees utilizing a microphone, and he additionally had a calling bell.
He was beset with well being issues, however he carried all of it very frivolously, whether or not on set or off. Be it his gout or every other ailment, he by no means made an enormous deal about it.
