In Aryan Khan’s series The Bads Of Bollywood, the climax shows Bobby Deol dancing with Mona Singh to ‘Duniya haseenon ka mela’ from Rajiv Rai’s 1997 murder mystery thrillerGupt. But Mona is morphed into the song. Who is the girl who actually danced with Bobby in Gupt. Gupt director Rajiv Rai answers.
Rajiv who was the girl who originally danced with Booby Deol in the song Duniya haseeno ka mela in Gupt?
A lot of journalists have called me asking me this question. This was back in 1995 or 96. She is Bhanu Khan. She was an assistant to Rekha, Chinni Prakash’s wife. She was one of the chorus dancers. I had taken another actor-dancer to do that particular role. But the girl I signed for that dance was an actress, like an upcoming, struggling actress. I was giving her some kind of a break in the song. But that girl couldn’t dance so well. So Rekha Chinni Prakash said, ‘Why don’t we use this girl Bhanu, who may be her assistant or the main dancer?’ What I remember, I think she was one of her assistants. And she had danced a lot in Tamil movies. You might see her in a lot of films.
Rajiv, your Gupt number Duniya haseenon ka mela is a major factor in the climax of The Bads Of Bollywood??
I haven’t seen the episode where the song occurs. I saw the first episode. I was invited to the premiere and the party. They were sort of pursuing me for over a year, for this series, they wanted the song and there was never any problem. I had said yes.
Did Shah Rukh call you directly?
Shah Rukh had approached me through Pooja his manager so that they would require it and what are the possibilities and all that. There was no question of saying no to Shah Rukh. I mean I normally don’t give my music like this but because it was his son’s film and I have a close relation with him, I didn’t even much ask about the how or where or what. I just asked he length, how much of the song’s footage they required. I didn’t ask for specification as to how they are placing it or where they’re going with it.
So you don’t know how the song is used?
I’m actually not sure about the connection, I mean I’m sure they’ve used it very well because you know Bobby Deol is the main character and they told me that it was like some story linked to Bobby in the series where they wanted to show him young. I suppose, so you’ll know better. I’ll watch it now in two, three days, I’ll see the whole thing.
Bobby and you go back a long way?
I’m happy for him and Shah Rukh and his son. I hope the series does well. I was glad to give them the song and I wish them good luck. Shah Rukh is a very polite and a respectful gentleman. I’m sure they’ve used the song very well. I’m happy to offer whatever I can, my services to the family. I look up to him.