PremiumBaghban: Tabu was first offered Hema Malini’s role opposite Amitabh Bachchan - Did you know?
While Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan made Baghban and iconic affair, the movie was first offered to Tabu as per a recent revelation.
Tabu Was Approached To Play Hema Malini's Role In Baghban
Last Updated: 09.02 PM, Feb 24, 2025
The casting process for any movie is a spectacle in itself. Names are associated, auditions are conducted, stars align, and yet, sometimes things don’t work out. Every film has its own story of certain elements falling into place while others do not.Baghban is one of the most iconic Hindi films of all time, boasting an extraordinary recall value on satellite television. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan and the ethereal Hema Malini breathed life into their characters, making the movie immortal for generations to come. There’s almost no way you haven’t seen this film—even if it wasn’t by choice! But what if we told you that Tabu was actually the first choice for Hema Malini’s role?
Why Did Tabu Reject Baghban?
Yes, you read that right! Baghban, directed by Ravi Chopra and co-written and produced by B. R. Chopra, was a massive success at the box office. While it didn’t receive overwhelming critical acclaim upon release, it was later embraced by audiences and remains one of the most cherished Hindi films to date. Now, in a recent conversation with Pinkvilla, producer Renu Chopra, wife of filmmaker Ravi Chopra, revealed that the makers initially approached Tabu for the role, but she turned it down. Read on to know why.
Recalling the time they narrated the story to Tabu, Renu Chopra shared: “We thought of casting Tabu, and she insisted on listening to the film’s script. She cried and was deeply moved. She loved the story. I was certain she would say yes. But someone sitting with me mentioned, ‘When Tabu cries while listening to a script, she never does the film.’”
Confirming that Tabu declined the role for a valid reason, Renu added: “I asked her, ‘You won’t do the film?’ She said she loved the story but didn’t want to play the mother of four children. She explained, ‘My whole career is ahead of me, so Ravi ji, mujh maaf kardo (Ravi ji, please forgive me).’”
Further in the conversation, Renu Chopra revealed how, two years later, when the movie was released, Tabu watched it with her aunt in Hyderabad and regretted her decision. “When the film released in theaters, Tabu was in Hyderabad and went to watch it with her aunt and uncle. She told them she had been offered the role but had declined it. Her aunt reprimanded her, saying, ‘Ye chappal nikalke tumhare sir pe marungi. Why did you say no to this film? (I will hit you with my slipper).’”
However, all was not lost. Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu later united for Cheeni Kum, directed by R. Balki, marking a memorable collaboration. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.