In an exclusive interview with ETimes, veteran actor Mukesh Khanna shared some of his cherished memories of working with Bollywood legends Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar. Reflecting on his experiences, Khanna offered insight into the unique challenges and learning moments from these collaborations.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with legends like Raaj Kumar and Dilip Kumar. Let me share some memories with them,” Khanna began.
Recalling his time with Dilip Kumar in Saudagar, Khanna shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes moment. “When I worked with Dilip Saab in Saudagar, I was supposed to play his son. Initially, I had refused the role when Subhash Ghai approached me. I even went to meet him in my Bhishma costume, wearing jeans. I told him, ‘You’ve picked me straight out of a war scene!’ But he insisted, saying, ‘Mukesh, you are the angry son of Dilip Kumar. You only pick up the gun after Jackie Shroff dies.’”
Khanna’s first scene with Dilip Kumar was an intense confrontation. “On the first day of the muhurat shot at a farmhouse in Malad, we had a confrontation scene. Jackie Shroff was also there. My dialogue was intense: Jackie’s character says, ‘I’ve heard Ramakant has lost his patience today,’ and my reply was, ‘Yes, today even we have fired bullets from our pistols.’ Dilip Saab, standing behind me, added, ‘What difference does it make? He is our friend.’ My response was bold: ‘He was your friend. Today, he is your enemy.’”
During the rehearsal, Khanna pointed his finger directly at Dilip Kumar, causing a noticeable tension. “Subhash Ghai Ji, our director, noticed the tension and managed it brilliantly. He said, ‘Let’s take your shot separately and Dilip Saab’s shot separately.’ He knew Dilip Saab might not appreciate being challenged so directly, yet he also understood my character’s aggressive stance.”
Khanna’s experience with Raaj Kumar was equally unique. “On the first day of shooting for Jawab in Delhi, I had a scene with Karisma Kapoor, who played my daughter. The story revolves around how her father, played by Raaj Kumar, had entrusted me with her care when she was young. After 16 years, Raaj Kumar’s character returns to ask for his daughter back. My role as a tycoon was to confront him with anger: ‘Where were you for 16 years? When you were needed, you weren’t there! And now you come back after all these years to claim her as your daughter?’”
Khanna described Raaj Kumar’s unique acting style, saying, “Raaj ji never made eye contact during scenes. If you tried to establish it, he would look away. During my shot, the camera was on me, and Raaj ji’s back was to the camera. While I delivered my lines with full intensity, he turned away. As an actor, you instinctively notice these things. I later realized this was just his way of working.”
He also recalled a rare moment when Raaj Kumar used glycerin for an emotional scene, something unusual for the actor. “This was rare because he never used glycerin, relying instead on his natural ability to emote. But in that instance, seeing me act with full intensity, he decided to use it. It showed his adaptability and dedication.”
Khanna reminisced about the artistry between Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar during a late-night shoot. “I remember one particular night, around 2:30 a.m., when a scene was being shot between Dilip Saab and Raaj Kumar. The tension and the artistry were palpable. I stood in awe of both legends, observing how Dilip Saab maneuvered the complexities of acting alongside Raaj Kumar.”
Sharing his own approach to acting, Khanna emphasized his respect for co-actors, saying, “I’ve never been rude or disrespectful to seniors, but when the camera rolls, I become the character. It doesn’t matter who’s in front of me – I focus entirely on the scene.”
Khanna also reflected on his career and persona. “People often ask me if I’m aggressive by nature or if it’s just a facade. I’d say it’s a bit of both – it’s an honest facade. I’ve cultivated this persona because I know my voice, dialogue delivery, and presence carry weight. Off-camera, I’m humble and respectful, but on-camera, I transform into the character.”
When asked about his idol, Khanna confidently replied, “My idol is Mukesh Khanna. I focus on improving myself, minimizing my flaws, and maximizing my strengths. If you place someone else on a pedestal, it may intimidate you when you work with them.”
With over 60 films in his career, Khanna’s approach to acting has remained steadfast. “When the camera is on you, your honesty and confidence must shine. If you appear scared, the camera will capture that.”
