Farida Jalal is once again in the headlines after the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’. In this series, Farida Jalal has played the important role of ‘Kudsia Begum’, who is the grandmother of the series lead ‘Tajdar’. Farida Jalal has made a strong comeback with Heeramandi. Farida Jalal has played a long innings in Hindi cinema and has worked with superstars from Shahrukh Khan to Rajesh Khanna. She entered the acting industry after winning a talent hunt. Hindi cinema superstar Rajesh Khanna was the winner in this competition. Farida Jalal’s first film was Taqdeer. Meanwhile, Farida Jalal spoke openly about her early days in the industry.
Farida Jalal did not get along with Kaka
Farida Jalal, in a conversation with Bollywood Bubble, recalled the anecdote related to the shooting of the 1969 blockbuster film and told how Sharmila Tagore always stood with her and supported her during this time. Farida Jalal and Rajesh Khanna started their journey in the acting industry at almost the same time. Both were finalists in a talent show, both were declared joint winners in this show and then both started getting film offers. Farida also shared her experience of working with the superstar in the 1969 blockbuster film ‘Aradhana’.
Farida Jalal recalled the anecdote related to Aradhana
The film released in 1969 had Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore in the lead roles, but Farida Jalal also played an important role in the film. This was the film that made Rajesh Khanna a ‘superstar’. Farida revealed about 55 years after the release of the film that Rajesh used to behave ‘arrogantly’ on the set. Due to this behavior of Rajesh Khanna, there were fights between the two.
Farida Jalal recalled the anecdote related to Kaka
Farida Jalal recalled an anecdote related to Kaka and said- ‘After Aradhana, he became ‘The Rajesh Khanna’. But, he was always very arrogant on the set. But, I did not give him star treatment on the set, due to which he was probably a little angry. I did not pay much attention to him, so he was angry with me. I used to live in my own world then. But, he was really very impressive in the film.’
Sharmila Tagore used to support
Farida Jalal told that since she was young, Sharmila Tagore was very protective of her. Sharmila had supported Farida even when she had a fight with Rajesh. The veteran actress said- ‘I used to think that this man is very arrogant, very egoistic. When I would ask for rehearsals, he would say, ‘How many rehearsals?’ I was new then. I felt very bad. I even told him this. I told him- ‘How can you talk to me like this? I can ask for rehearsals 10 times if I want.’ We were fighting there when Sharmila Tagore came in between, she defended me then’. However, after the release of the film, everything got fine and he and I became friends.
Rajesh Khanna’s stardom
Farida Jalal also recalled the impact of Rajesh Khanna’s stardom. Farida said- ‘I used to feel very strange when I used to see women falling at his feet. People were crazy for him (Kaka). Girls used to fall at his feet. Girls used to ask him to give autographs on their arms and faces. I used to feel disgusted seeing all this. Then he would look at me proudly and say, ‘See?’ I have never seen this kind of stardom.’
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