Poonam Dhillon speaks with Subhash K Jha about 30 years since she debuted on the big screen with Yash Chopra’s drama Trishul, which starred of Shashi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Raakhee Gulzar, Gita Siddharth and Sachin.
It is 30 years of your debut film Trishul?
Wow, so many years have passed!!! I was a 15-year-old kid who had just taken the 10th standard exam. I knew nothing about acting, screen, or stars at that time, having seen only probably 4 to 5 films in my life.
Which films had you seen before?
Dosti many times at all Children’s Day celebrations in school), Guddi, Mera Naam Joker, and I think maybe a few more. That’s it. I was super-shy and awkward and had no idea WHAT HUGE stars I was working with. This was the zamana before the internet and Instagram.
Your song in Lataji’s voice, ‘Gapuchi’ was a big hit?
‘Gauch Gupuchi ‘ was the most difficult thing for me as I had to dance, which I had never ever done… that too in front of huge crowds in Lodhi Garden Delhi, who had gathered to see the shooting as well as sing in the swimming pool.
You were the baby of the family?
Everyone was very kind to me and treated me like the child that I was. My co-star Sachin was very helpful, teaching me how to do dance steps. Shashi Kapoorji, Amit ji, and Sanjeev Kumar ji were considerate and patient, as was Gita Kakji, who played my mother. I didn’t have much work with Hemaji or Rakheeji. But these two gorgeous ladies were stunning and I would gaze at them awestruck as I would go to their shooting and watch.
A debut with Yash Chopra was no small thing?
I am grateful that I got to start my career with this legendary film, with a legendary director like Yash Chopraji, legendary writers, legendary co-actors, legendary music director (Khayyam), legendary Lyric writer (Sahir Ludhianvi) and of course THE legendary playback singer Lataji.
