Rati Agnihotri gives co-star Mithun Chakraborty of “Shaukeen” a lot of praise: He is constantly grinning, never pushes his influence, and is never in a foul mood – Exclusive

As the film approaches 42 wonderful years old, veteran actress Rati Agnihotri talks about her incredible experiences on the production of the timeless masterpiece “Shaukeen.” She discusses her fondest recollections of working with industry icons like Ashok Kumar, Utpal Dutt, and Mithun Chakraborty in an exclusive conversation with ETimes, highlighting the simplicity and camaraderie that typified the time.Agnihotri transports us to a bygone era when connections were built both on and off screen and filmmaking was a family affair via her frank experiences and sentimental reflections. Take a peek…

 

The release of Shaukeen (1982) was forty-two years ago.
Oh my, I feel so archaic.

Which memories come to mind?
The way that Basu Chatterjee made films was very distinctive. It like being at a picnic. He was very easygoing and full of laughter. Stress is absent. Everything was only grinned at. Working with the three veteran performers, AK Hangal Saab, Utpal Da (Utpal Dutt), and Dada Muni (Ashok Kumar), was such a pleasure. And of course, my favorite, Mithun (Chakraborty).

When Basu Da approached you carrying Shaukeen, how did you respond?
My dad was contacted initially by Basu Da. Whenever it came to deciding which tasks I should embark on, it was always my dad. I would become involved if he believed the idea was a good match after we met with the filmmakers and assessed its possibilities. Being able to work with filmmakers such as Shrish Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee was an enormous privilege for any actor. They stand out for their distinct aesthetics, skill in telling stories, and the simplicity of their productions. Working with Manmohan Desai was like working with Basu Da; each provided an amazing experience in and of itself.

And you’ve collaborated with each of them…
Yes, all of them. Producers and directors from Bengal and Punjab, as well as naturally those from the South, seemed to like me. Since most of the films we were producing were in those three areas.
Why did you find a topic interesting?

It was mostly because of Basu Da, but it was also because I wanted to collaborate with these industry veterans and because the movie is so distinctive. The entire scenario where three men go on a trip, and each one has his own imagination and his own dreams in his brain. Then there is this young crooner who is involved in a romantic relationship with Mithun. In addition to working with these industry veterans, the project was easy to understand and flowed naturally.
The idea for a movie in the 1980s was rather forward. Now, what are your thoughts?
I still think it’s a very original idea for a project, for a screenplay for a movie. It seems rather unusual to me. It also seems very sweet to me. Cute and original.

Any tidbits or tales from the collection?
I remember when Dada Muni and I were shooting. He enjoyed sharing his homeopathic expertise during breaks. He would propose different homeopathic medicines for different conditions. For example, if I had a breakout on my face, he would advise one particular remedy. He even offered to send his chauffeur to get it from Princess Street’s Balaji store. These little actions demonstrated his thoughtfulness and concern for detail.

After that, he would relate experiences from his life’s journey. And the reason it was so amazing is because you already knew them as amazing industry veterans. They are quite intriguing and knowledgable when you sit down and converse with them. The day just flits by as they work on the project and occupy their brief moments together. Additionally, you perceive a generational and age difference without realizing it. You were not feeling it at the moment.