Dharmendra, one of Indian cinema’s most revered veteran actors, is widely known for his contributions to commercial cinema and action-packed roles. However, his repertoire includes a few ventures into non-commercial films, one of which was an ambitious collaboration with filmmaker Sai Paranjpye. Despite its potential, the project, titled Bichhoo, was never completed.
In a recent interview, Sai Paranjpye recounted the story behind the unfinished film. She shared how Dharmendra himself had approached her, expressing a desire to work with her on a film. Sai described him as a delightful and lovely individual. She explained that she had a concept in mind and pitched it to him, which he embraced enthusiastically.
The film, intended to be a story about two con artists, was set to star Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi. Sai revealed that while writing the script, she envisioned Dharmendra in the lead role. Initially, he loved the script, and the project got underway. However, as filming progressed, Dharmendra seemed to grow uneasy.
Sai recounted a specific incident during filming that seemed to mark the turning point. In one scene, Dharmendra’s character tells Shabana Azmi’s character a lie, and Sai asked him to use subtle hand gestures to convey deceit. When Dharmendra questioned why she wasn’t shooting a close-up, Sai explained that it wasn’t necessary because the emotions were already conveyed through his body language. She speculated that this might have made him suspicious of her approach, perhaps leading him to believe that she was favoring the heroine.
After that, Sai observed changes in Dharmendra’s demeanor. He began to point out how scenes should be handled, and his enthusiasm seemed to wane. Gradually, the film’s momentum slowed, and the project came to a standstill. Sai eventually realized that Dharmendra was no longer fully invested in the film, leading to its unfortunate halt.
Despite the disappointment of the unfinished project, Sai spoke warmly of Dharmendra, commending him for his gentlemanly conduct. She noted that he never spoke ill of her in the press, and she reciprocated his respect. Although Bichhoo never came to fruition, Sai’s memories of the collaboration reflect both her admiration for Dharmendra and her regret over the unrealized potential of their joint effort.
