Saira Banu reminisces with Subhash K Jha about her debut film, Junglee, which starred Shammi Kapoor and released in 1961.
What do you remember of Junglee?
Sixty-four years ago, a young, wide-eyed girl stood before the camera for the very first time uncertain, nervous, and trembling with both excitement and fear. That girl was me. Upon my return from London, I was blessed with film offers from prestigious studios like A.V.M. and Gemini, and filmmakers I deeply admired Kamal Amrohi, Ramanand Sagar, B.R. Chopra, and dear S. Mukherjee Uncle of Filmalaya the man who gave Indian cinema radiant stars like Sadhana and Asha Parekh.
And you?
He had initially wanted to cast me opposite Sunil Dutt Sahab in Hum Hindustani, but destiny had other plans. His brother, Subodh Mukherjee Uncle, was readying a new venture called Junglee, a story that needed a mischievous, spirited girl… and perhaps, I was just that! A curious blend of tomboy and recluse climbing trees barefoot one moment and hiding shyly behind curtains the next.
Hence Junglee?
Jee, thus began my journey. Our unit travelled to the breathtaking valleys of Kashmir to the heavenly gardens of Nishat and Shalimar where the song “Kashmir Ki Kali Hoon Main” was to be picturised. It was my first time facing such large crowds of thousands of tourists watching us shoot. Overwhelmed, I froze and, to my utter embarrassment, burst into tears. Aapaji my dearest mother Naseem Banu Ji, came running to comfort me, saying gently, “Beta, let’s go home if it’s too much.”
What happened next?
Shammi Kapoorji full of playful mischief and magnetic energy who winked at Aapaji and teased me, “If you want to be shy, you should’ve stayed home in a burkha!” That little scolding struck something within me. I wiped my tears, tied my dupatta firmly around my waist, and declared with fire in my voice, “Main karke dikhaungi!” And I did. The camera rolled again, the music played, and magic happened. That single moment transformed my fear into determination.
Other unforgettable memories from the shooting?
There’s another unforgettable memory from those days…a daring water-skiing scene in Nigeen Lake. The duplicate artist didn’t show up, and though I had never surfed before, Shammi Sahab’s confidence gave me courage. I said a small prayer and plunged into the icy waters, while my poor mother fainted in fright on the shore! But when the shot was done, the whole crew cheered. That was the day I realised…I had found my calling.
Closing thoughts?
Junglee was not merely my debut…it was my baptism into cinema. A film that gave me wings, taught me courage, and introduced me to the joy of performance. It was the beginning of a journey I hold closest to my heart. To my beloved Subodh Mukherjee Uncle, to my ever-encouraging Shammiji, and to my beloved Appaji, who stood by me every step..my eternal gratitude.
