Ravi Chopra’s Baghban (2003), starring Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, and Salman Khan, faced significant hurdles before becoming a box-office success.
Ravi Chopra’s Baghban faced rejection from distributors, with even BR Chopra calling it outdated.
Ravi Chopra’s Baghban (2003), a star-studded family drama featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Salman Khan, and Mahima Chaudhry, was a massive box-office success upon release. However, the film, often criticized in recent times for its dated themes, faced significant hurdles before reaching theaters. In a recent conversation with Pinkvilla, Ravi Chopra’s wife, Renu Chopra, shed light on the challenges they encountered while making and distributing the film.
Renu revealed that finding a distributor for Baghban was no easy feat, as most dismissed the project as “old-fashioned.” “The film struggled during its first four days in theaters. Ravi even questioned why he made it. But everything changed on the following Tuesday, and the film picked up momentum,” she recalled.
One pivotal moment in the film’s journey was Salman Khan’s involvement. According to Renu, Baghban was already completed, except for a guest appearance role. “No distributor wanted to touch the film. They thought it was outdated, especially since Amit ji was facing a rough patch in his career, having just made a comeback with Mohabbatein and Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). Then someone suggested approaching Salman Khan for the remaining part.”
Renu recounted how Ravi Chopra personally visited Salman’s home, unsure of the outcome. “Ravi went to Salman’s two-room apartment, where the Khan brothers were casually working out. One by one, they stepped out in shorts, making Ravi feel overdressed. When Salman heard the role, he immediately agreed, saying, ‘I love this boy, Alok Malhotra. This is exactly how I feel about my parents. I worship them, and I will do this role.’ He didn’t ask about payment; he just wanted to know where to show up for the shoot.”
All of Salman’s scenes were shot in London, and his only request was not to start work before 11 a.m. “He promised he wouldn’t leave until everything was done. Every evening, he’d invite us for dinner, and you couldn’t tell him what to order. He’d take over and order the entire menu. On the last day, when we tried to clear the bill, we discovered Salman had already paid it,” Renu fondly shared.
Interestingly, skepticism about the project wasn’t limited to distributors. Legendary filmmaker BR Chopra, Ravi’s father, was also doubtful. The original story, penned by BR Chopra two decades earlier, was reworked by Dr. Achala Nagar. “Ravi’s father discouraged him from making Baghban, saying it was outdated. Many believed films like Avtaar and Zindagi had already explored similar themes. But Ravi saw it differently—not as a social drama but as a love story between an elderly couple,” Renu explained.
Despite initial hurdles, Baghban resonated with audiences, especially the youth of that era, cementing its place as a memorable family drama. While the film continues to spark debate today, its success story remains a testament to the power of perseverance and belief in one’s vision.
