Director Subhash Ghai was determined in his decision to cast both of them in his film "Saudagar." However, both of them were not on good terms after Ramanand Sagar's 1959 comedy-drama "Paigham."
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00:00 Rajkumar and Dilip Kumar, two dominant personalities in Indian cinema, have been seen as icons,
00:06 but as per reports, they were not on good terms.
00:10 This became evident during the shooting of Ramanand Sagar's 1959 comedy-drama, Baigam,
00:17 where Rajkumar had to deliver a slap to Dilip Kumar.
00:21 However, after the scene was completed, the slap was unexpectedly hard, causing Dilip
00:27 Kumar to become angry.
00:29 Subsequently, the two never worked together for many years until Subhash Ghai orchestrated
00:36 the reunion for Saudagar.
00:39 Director Subhash Ghai was resolute in his decision to cast both of them in his film.
00:44 He recollects, "When I completed the script of Saudagar and was about to go to Dilipji
00:49 to narrate it, my writer told me, 'Do you know Dilip and Raj are enemies for the past
00:54 36 years?'
00:55 I got scared, but I thought, 'Let's try at least.'
00:58 When he agreed to do the film, I told him Raj is his co-star and ran away from his house
01:04 without giving him a chance to react.
01:06 I didn't go to meet for the next five, six days," the filmmaker told a news organization
01:12 in an old interview.
01:13 Later, when Ghai went to Rajkumar with the script and he asked who will be playing the
01:19 role of his friend, he told him in a mellow tone, "Since I am not able to cast any big
01:25 name, I am thinking of taking Dilip Kumar."
01:28 A few moments later, Raj took Ghai's surprise, responded by saying, "Jaani, is duniya mein
01:34 hum apne baat kisi ko actor maante hain toh wo hai Dilip Kumar.
01:38 This role suits him."
01:42 Following Rajkumar's approval, Ghai approached Dilip Kumar and conveyed what Raj had stated
01:48 about him.
01:49 This pivotal moment marked a turning point, leading to Dilip Kumar's agreement to join
01:54 the film.
02:03 (upbeat music)