New Delhi: India is talking about Dharmendra and Shaban Azmi’s kiss in the recently-released Karan Johar film ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.’ While both the veterans have been nonchalant about it, the audience certainly is not. The much talked about kiss has also led to debates such as ‘Does romance have an age?’
In the midst of all this, during a recent book launch event in New Delhi for her brother RK Chakravarty’s autobiography, ‘Galloping Decades’, Hema Malini shared her thoughts on her husband’s much-discussed on-screen kiss. In the romantic-comedy drama directed by Karan Johar, Dharmendra and Shabana play long-lost lovers reunited by their grandchildren, played by Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh.
Asked about the viral kiss, Hema said with a laugh, according to Times Now, “I am sure people have loved the film. I am so happy for Dharam ji, because he loves to be in front of the camera all the time. He loves it.”
On the same day in Mumbai, Dharmendra discussed the kiss during the success meet of the film, where Karan and other cast members were present. Encouraged by Ranveer to talk about the specific scene, Dharmendra said, “Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the premiere, but I’ve received a lot of messages from people. Maine bola, ‘Yaar, yeh toh mere daaye haath ka kaam hai (It’s no big deal for me).” As the rest of the cast of the film laughed, Dharmendra added, “Baaye haath se karwana hai, woh bhi karwa lo (I can do it effortlessly).”
Karan Johar had earlier discussed the scene in a chat with Film Companion. “Shabana ji is a trooper. She is a master actor, she is a ‘baap’ actor as they say. There was no debate, no question (about the kiss scene). Dharam ji was like, ‘haan theek hai karna hai, fine’. (It was) two great veterans, performing with absolute aplomb, no questions asked. It was glorious to see them,” he had said.
In an interview with Zoom, Shabana said that shooting the scene was never a problem for her, mentioning that audiences have been laughing and cheering in theaters during that particular scene. “It is true that I haven’t kissed much on screen before. But who wouldn’t want to kiss a man as handsome as Dharmendra?” she said.
