Mother’s Disapproval Didn’t Stop Reena Roy From Starring in ‘Naagin’

When *Naagin* hit theatres in 1976, its lyrical haunting and serpentine suspense captured the imagination of a nation. Yet the story behind the film’s heroine remains a tale of defiance. Reena Roy, who embodied the film’s vengeful protagonist, faced resistance at home before stepping onto the set.

During a recent appearance on a popular talk show, Roy revealed that major actresses such as Rekha and Asha Parekh were initially approached for the role but refused, leaving the producers to look elsewhere. The filmmakers believed Roy’s expertise in dance and her versatile acting would suit the character’s dual nature.

Her mother, concerned about the negative connotations of a revenge‑driven heroine, urged her daughter to decline. Roy, however, found the storyline compelling and decided to ignore the parental objection. She described this choice as a defining moment that propelled her career forward.

Post‑release, the audience’s reaction was stark: some admitted to feeling uneasy whenever Roy appeared on screen, underscoring the power of her performance. The film, produced by Rajkumar Kohli under the Shankar Movies banner, featured a star‑studded line‑up that included Sunil Dutt, Feroz Khan, Rekha, and Vinod Mehra, cementing its place in Indian cinema history.