Diving into the treasure trove of nostalgia, Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla recently spilled the beans on the playful camaraderie that unfolded on the sets of the 1997 romantic action comedy ‘Ishq’. The actress, now gracing the stage of the celebrity dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’, took a delightful stroll down memory lane, sharing anecdotes of the mischievous pranks orchestrated by her co-stars, Ajay Devgn and Aamir Khan.
In a candid revelation, Juhi fondly reminisced, “During the shooting of ‘Ishq,’ Ajay and Aamir, with their straight faces and seemingly innocent personas, were the masterminds behind continuous pranks on set.”
According to Juhi, the duo targeted a new assistant director, adding an element of hilarity to the shoot. “Whenever the assistant director approached to give the clap for a shot, Ajay and Aamir would playfully poke him, causing the clapboard to shake,” she chuckled.
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The consequences, however, were not in light note for the unsuspecting assistant director. “Our director, Indra Kumar, would scold the poor assistant director, not realizing that it was Ajay and Aamir pulling the strings. They even went as far as erasing the markings for the shot, leading to more scoldings for the bewildered assistant director,” Juhi revealed with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
The revelation unfolded during a special episode of ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ titled ‘Jashn Juhi Ka,’ dedicated to celebrating Juhi Chawla’s illustrious career in Indian cinema. The episode showcased mesmerizing dance performances by the contestants, paying tribute to Juhi through renditions of her iconic songs from the 90s.
‘Ishq,’ directed by Indra Kumar, featured an ensemble cast including Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Juhi Chawla, and Kajol. The film, released on 28 November 1997, went on to become the third-highest-grossing film of the year 1997, earning over ₹500 million (US$6.3 million) worldwide.
The enduring success of ‘Ishq’ is a testament to the timeless entertainment it brought to audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of fans. This Bollywood gem was later remade in Kannada as ‘Snehana Preethina’ in 2007, further cementing its legacy in the world of Indian cinema.