Mandira Bedi recalled working with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in 'Dilwale Dhulania Le Jayenge'. Reveals her struggles with Saroj Khan.
Mandira Bedi is an Indian actress, fashion designer and television presenter. The actress gained prominence for her role on the television show, Shanti. Mandira played the role of the title character 'Shanti' in the 1994 show. She has since appeared in several TV serials and has even hosted ICC Cricket World Cups in 2003 and 2007.
Mandira Bedi appeared for a candid conversation with Kareena Kapoor on her talk show, What Women Want. During the show, Mandira Bedi discussed various aspects of her life, including the time she was shooting her debut film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. She spoke about her experience of shooting for the song Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The song was choreographed by the late dancing legend, Saroj Khan.
Kareena Kapoor Khan further asked Mandira why shooting for the film was not fun. Mandira responded and shared that she was not as graceful as Kareena. She added that she had nightmares about two things as a grown woman. She revealed that the two things that gave her cold sweat were choreographed dance and math exams.
Mandira Bedi, in the same conversation, shared that her fear of choreographed dance is rooted in her experience working with renowned choreographer, Saroj Khan. She revealed that during the song shoot, Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna, Saroj was the choreographer. She added that the legendary dancer told her that she was like somebody the latter knew exceedingly well and then continued to compare Mandira to Sunny Deol. She elaborated:
"So Saroj ji was the choreographer, and I remember her telling me, ‘You know something, you are like somebody I know, somebody I know very well. You are like Sunny Deol. He shakes his shoulders. You shake your shoulders really well, but as a woman and as a female actress, you need to learn how to shake your hips,’ which I could not do."
Mandira further shared that she was under immense pressure to master the choreographed moves, and that experience terrified her. She added that it was great to let off some steam with freestyle dance but choreographed dance whatsoever terrified her. She stated:
"So it was actually quite terrifying and it still is. I mean it’s great to go to a part and then let off some steam and dance, as they say, freestyle but when you are dancing to one 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8…with moves for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, it is horrifying. For me at least it is."
Mandira Bedi revealed that her first week as a presenter was extremely difficult. She shared that the cricket legends on the panel used to ignore her questions. Mandira added that she found their behaviour towards her disrespectful.
"One week went by with absolute hesitation, fumbles and mistakes. At the end of every show, I would put my head down and cry. The legends on either sides of me, I would ask them questions and they just stared at me. They turned to the camera and answered whatever the hell they wanted to answer."
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