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I WAS HEARTBROKEN THAT IT FLOPPED
Sangeeta Yadav
As the classic comedy drama film Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani completes 20 years today, actor Juhi Chawla recalls her experience of working in the film not just as an actor, but also as a firsttime producer.
The 52-year-old actor, along with Shah Rukh Khan and director Aziz Mirza, ensured they gave it their best, whether it was with its music — the chartbuster Banke Tera Jogi or the title track — or using visual effects and more. “It was our first film under our new production house Dreamz Unlimited along with Shah Rukh and (director) Aziz Mirza. I remember Shah Rukh had bought a small office space in Khar, Mumbai and it was a very different experience altogether,” shares Juhi, who plays a TV reporter alongside SRK. Juhi confesses she “wasn’t a good producer”. “When the shooting would get over, I’d say goodbye to everyone, get into my car and go home. And after reaching halfway, I’d suddenly realise ‘Oh, I’m also the producer. I should’ve stayed back to see how things get wrapped up and if everything was alright’. I started getting involved in the post-production work and experienced working behind the screens — whether it was helping in designing the posters, discussing the lyrics and more,” Juhi recalls.
It was one of the first few Hindi films that used heavy visual effects too, and that increased the budget manifold. “We had gone over the budget and still more had to be spent because the last-minute VFX was expensive. We didn’t compromise on the quality. Also, just before the release of the film, Aziz ji, Shah Rukh and I sat for hours thinking what to write to the state government to convince them to give us tax exemption,” Juhi recounts.
Though the film was the 13th highest grossing Bollywood film of 2000 worldwide, earning ₹25 crore, it was declared a box office “flop” in India. “I was quite heartbroken that the film didn’t rock the box office in India. After that, I don’t think I saw the film again. But many people have come to me and said they’ve grown up watching the film or danced on Banke Tera Jogi or their parents liked the film a lot. All this now makes me go back and watch it again,” Juhi says.
If the film is remade in today’s time, Juhi says, “I’d like Alia Bhatt to play my role Ria and Varun Dhawan or Ranveer Singh to play Ajay Bakshi which SRK played.”
Actor Amy Schumer, who has recently opened up about her IVF journey as she wants to have another baby, says she would love to have a daughter next and has urged anyone who has the “resources” to have a baby to do just that.
“I really have had a beautiful experience having a baby. You know, it’s different for everybody. But I really have to recommend if you’ve got the resources to have a baby, have a baby. It’s been so life-changing for me. And I really like the guy. I picture us all on the beach together. And teaching maybe a little girl how to play volleyball,” said Schumer, who has a son.
The comedienne-actor has praised all women for their strength, tagging them as “warriors”, reports femalefirst.co.uk. She added: “We are warriors. All of us. I mean, for real. That is what I learned. I didn’t just learn how strong I was. I really learned, as a whole, how strong women
are. And, you know, men are great, too. And, like, that’s awesome and you guys can throw a touch down. But, like, can you make a baby?!”
The 38-year-old Trainwreck (2015) star exchanged wedding vows with Chris Fischer in February 2018 and in the open chat, she confessed she “never wanted to get married” at first. Speaking as part of a tour, she said: “I never wanted to get married. I never wanted to have kids. I didn’t even think about it. Like kids — like little girls play weddings? I was, like, playing that I was a fortune teller, you know? Then I met this dude. And I was, like, I want to partner up with you for life. And I do want to get the government involved. And I want you to sign. I want to make a vow. Everyone here heard you and now you are mine.”
I’d like Alia Bhatt to play my role Ria and Varun Dhawan or Ranveer Singh to play Ajay Bakshi which SRK played [if there’s a remake for Phir Bhi Dil Hai...].
JUHI CHAWLA ACTOR