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)
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