Veteran star Waheeda Rehman had the audience in splits on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ as she narrated a comical incident from the making of ‘Mughal-e-Azam,’ the magnum opus that defined an era in Indian filmmaking. The 1960 release, helmed by visionary director K. Asif, boasted lavish production values but fell short on basic amenities.
During her appearance, Waheeda disclosed a shocking fact: the sprawling Mohan Studios had zero toilets during the shoot. Undeterred, she and the late Mehmood hatched a plan. They offered the studio owners cash to construct a washroom, sealing the deal before leaving for a break.
Returning after 10 days, their excitement turned to disbelief. The so-called solution? A single thunderbox installed in the hallway, passed off as the new bathroom facility. Waheeda’s vivid retelling painted a picture of the absurdity, leaving host Kapil Sharma and viewers roaring with laughter.
Kapil delved deeper into the era’s challenges, prompting Waheeda to share how the crew coped by dehydrating themselves on purpose. ‘No water for us during shoots,’ she quipped, highlighting the sacrifices made for cinematic glory.
The film’s narrative revolves around the passionate affair between Mughal prince Salim (Dilip Kumar) and courtesan Anarkali (Madhubala), opposed vehemently by Emperor Akbar (Prithviraj Kapoor). This clash of love and duty sparked a dramatic father-son war, making it an enduring classic.
From her debut in ‘Rojulu Marayyi’ to iconic roles in Guru Dutt’s ‘Pyaasa’ and ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool,’ B.R. Chopra’s ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand,’ and Hemen Gupta’s ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam,’ Waheeda’s journey exemplifies grace and talent. Her anecdote humanizes the legends of Bollywood, reminding us of the humor amid hardships.
