Mumbai: Veteran Hindi cinema superstar Hema Malini recently recalled one of the most challenging moments of her illustrious career, when she was shooting the iconic “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” dance sequence for the cult classic Sholay.
In an exclusive interview with IANS at a magazine cover launch celebrating 50 years of Sholay, the actress revealed that her mother strongly objected to her dancing barefoot on scorching rocks in the intense May heat.
Recalling the experience, Hema Malini told IANS, “My mother was very worried about me dancing barefoot on the rocks, especially given the extreme heat.”
She described the shooting conditions as very difficult. “The sand, the soil, and especially the rocks were extremely hot. Even stepping on the stones barefoot was very painful. My mother was concerned and suggested that I wear a thin sole under my feet to minimize the pain,” she recounted.
“However, that idea didn’t last long,” Hema said. “Ramesh ji (Ramesh Sippy) immediately noticed it and asked me to remove it. He explained that it would be visible on screen during the dance moves, and it wouldn’t look right,” the actress added.
She further said, “I tried my best to convince Ramesh Sippy to shoot the song in November or December. I told him that it would be very hot in May and that I would be able to dance better if we avoided that heat. But he was adamant and said he wanted to shoot it in May.”
Hema further added, “After the shoot, I would put my feet in cold water and wrap them in cold towels to soothe the pain. I think my years of Bharatanatyam practice gave my feet and toes the strength to endure it. That helped the most,” she said.
Ramesh Sippy said, “Despite the discomfort, Hema Malini completed the shoot. It was very brave of her. Also, I think it was the inner strength that helped me get through it.” For those who don’t know, this sequence became one of the most memorable moments of ‘Sholay’. Released in 1975, Sholay became one of the most iconic films in Indian cinema. It starred Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, A.K. Hangal, and Sachin Pilgaonkar in key roles, alongside Hema Malini.
