When Shilpa Shetty was left hanging on the cable for hours, during ‘Baazigar’ shoot

When we recall the decade of 90s, surely there were some memorable Hindi films produced that time which still remain among our favourites. One such film is the 1993 release classic revenge thriller ‘Baazigar’. Directed by filmmaker duo Abbas-Mustan, this film gave superstar Shah Rukh Khan a career-defining role, that of an anti-hero who seeks revenge for the injustice done to his family. Kajol delivered her first commercial success with this film. And who can forget, ‘Baazigar’ even introduced a new face in Bollywood with the debut of actress Shilpa Shetty. Touted to be an intelligent revenge thriller, the film had many memorable and defining film moments especially the one when Shah Rukh Khan’s character throws Shilpa Shetty’s character off the terrace to her death.

Certainly, it was one of those scenes which shocks everyone even today, even after watching the movie several times. However, not many know that the scene, which marks a turning point in the plot was not an easy task for then newcomer Shilpa while shooting it. Not many would be aware that this scene was shot in real which left Shilpa hanging on the safety cables for almost three hours, and even left her injured after shooting it. (Also Read: The Men in White! From a chawl to Lokhandwala, Abbas-Mustan’s journey is commendable)

On Farooque Sheikh’s show ‘Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai’, Shilpa shared quite a few anecdotes from her life and career till that point of time. Among her close associates and friends from the film industry, director duo Abbas-Mustan had sent one message for her where they said that they were very happy for her as for what she has achieved in her career. After apologising for not being present on sets to meet her, they recalled and shared their experience on working with her in ‘Baazigar’. Mustan Burmawalla said, “You had put a lot of hard work into the film while shooting. We remember one (crucial) sequence where your character Seema is being killed by Shah Rukh’s character. The shot where you fall from a building, everyone was suggesting that we should shoot it in graphics or special effects. But, you delivered it with shooting that shot in real.”

“We remember ke jo building thi woh building humne woh puri zameen pe lagayi thi and you were hanged to it with the help of harness and cables. So to hang by it was so difficult, you were hanging on that cable there for almost three hours. If you had to eat or drink something during that time, it was been supplied all into her mouth from the down. Aur tumko jo takleef hui yeh shot complete hone ke baad, your entire body was injured and you didn’t complained at all. You (continued) working keeping up the spirit and always smiling, we (he and Abbas Burmawalla) were very happy to work with you,” added the director.

Well, we can say that the fans who have seen ‘Baazigar’ would acknowledge that indeed this scene leaves a lasting impact and Shilpa Shetty’s dedication and hard work which went behind creating this iconic scene was paid off.

Check out the full interview of Shilpa Shetty Kundra below:

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.