In Bollywood, there are plenty of behind-the-scenes stories that reveal what actors go through during shoots, and sometimes, those moments can be quite awkward. One such instance happened on the sets of the popular 1993 movie Khalnayak. Neena Gupta, who starred alongside Madhuri Dixit in the song “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai,” shared an uncomfortable experience during the filming.
The song, which was both a massive hit and controversial due to its lyrics, required perfection in every scene. Director Subhash Ghai paid extra attention to details, but one particular incident left Neena feeling embarrassed.
Neena Gupta Reluctant to Take the Role
Neena Gupta, in her autobiography Sach Kahoon To, opened up about her initial hesitation to be a part of the film. When Subhash Ghai approached her for Khalnayak, she wasn’t keen on the role. However, the song “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai,” sung by her close friend Ila Arun, caught her interest, although she still didn’t feel comfortable signing up for the role. Subhash Ghai, however, persuaded her, and she eventually agreed.
Director’s Comment on Her Outfit Left Neena Embarrassed
The incident occurred on the day of the song’s shoot when Neena arrived on set wearing a traditional Gujarati costume. When she presented herself to Subhash Ghai, he was unhappy with how the dress looked and exclaimed, “No, no, no, fill something.” His remark was directed at the lack of fullness in her costume’s bodice, leaving Neena embarrassed.
At that moment, she didn’t know what to say, as the comment was about her body. The situation was uncomfortable, and it even delayed the shooting of the song.
The Costume Change and Song Shoot
Following the director’s dissatisfaction, the shoot was postponed. The next day, Neena returned with an updated costume. The wardrobe department had adjusted her outfit by adding a padded bra to give the appearance Subhash Ghai wanted. With this change, the song was finally shot, and despite all the controversies surrounding its lyrics, “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” became a chartbuster.
This experience was one of many actors face on set when creative decisions lead to unexpected or uncomfortable moments. While the song went on to become iconic, Neena’s experience remains a reminder of the challenges actors sometimes encounter behind the scenes.
