Tabu Was The First Choice For Baghban, Not Hema Malini, Know Why She Rejected It And Repented Later

Bollywood casting stories often make surprising revelations about our favourite films and actors. There have been times when actors have turned down offers that later turned out to be massive hits. One such surprising revelation was made recently. Remember the iconic film, Baghban, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini in lead roles? Well, you’ll be surprised to know, that while Hema Malini immortalised the role in the 2003 blockbuster, it turns out that the makers had first approached Tabu.

Why did Tabu reject Baghban?

In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, film producer, Renu Chopra, wife of filmmaker, Ravi Chopra, shared the reason why the Drishyam actress turned down the opportunity. When Tabu first read the script for Baghban, she was deeply emotional, and there was a belief that the actress did not do the films which made her cry. Renu recalled:

“Tabu ko humne kaha. Tabu said ki Ravi ji, main aake kahani sunungi. And she cried and all that. She loved the script, toh maine socha ki ye toh zaroor haan kahegi. Toh saath mein mere koi or baitha tha, wo kehti hai, jis film ki story sunte sunte Tabu roti hai na, toh wo bilkul nahi karti hai.”

Renu was worried that she knew Tabu’s response. While the actress did ultimately reject the role, it was for a different reason. At that time, she was in her early thirties whereas Amitabh Bachchan was in his early sixties. It did not seem like a right choice for her to portray the mother of four grown children at such an early age. Renu shared:

“After Tabu finished, I said, ‘Tabu, tum to nahi karogi?’ She said, ‘Nahi, mujhe kahani bohot acchi lagi hai aur main sacchi roi, but I don’t want to be a mother of four children. Mera sara career is ahead of me, toh Ravi ji, mujhe maaf kar do’, which was very valid.”

Tabu’s aunt was not happy with her decision, and she also regretted it later

What’s more interesting is the aftermath of her decision. According to Renu Chopra, Tabu’s mami was furious when she found out about the rejection. When Baghban was released in the theatres in 2003, Tabu was in Hyderabad and watched it with her aunt and uncle. After knowing that she rejected the role, her aunt was furious. In Renu’s words:

“2 saal baad jab ye picture release hui, toh Tabu was in Hyderabad. She went to see the film with her mama-mami. And she told them ki mereko ye picture offer hui thi and maine naa bol di. Toh uski jo mami thi, she said, ‘Ye chappal nikaal ke main abhi tumhare sir pe maarungi. Tumne ye picture ko naa kyun boli?’... So she rang me up from there, and she said ki ‘Renu ji, aaj ke bad koi bhi BR film hogi toh mujhe guest appearance ke liye bhi aap bulayenge to main aaungi. And she did.”

Tabu and Big B’s collab finally happened in Cheeni Kum

While Tabu may have missed out on Baghban, she later teamed up with Amitabh Bachchan in the 2007 film, Cheeni Kum, where they played an unconventional couple in a critically acclaimed romantic drama.

Do you think Tabu would have done justice to the role, or was Hema Malini the perfect choice for Baghban?

Also Read: Imran Khan Reveals Ranbir Kapoor's 'Solution' For Stage Jitters: 'He Showed Up With Expensive Vodka'

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