When Suchitra sen Got Upset With Dev Anand

‘Suchitra Sen threatened to leave, with the film only 80 per cent complete.’

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Raj Khosla made several blockbusters like CID (1956), Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), Mera Saaya (1966), Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Dostana (1980) and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978).

On his birth centenary on May 31, his daughters Anita Khosla and Uma Khosla Kapur, along with writer Amborish Roychoudhury, released a book on the filmmaker, Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography.

Presenting a fascinating excerpt from Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography: The role of Maya, the lead heroine, was first offered to Madhubala. Raj had just worked with her on Kala Pani, and she seemed the perfect choice for the role.

Kala Pani was, after all, a grand success and there may have been that wish to replicate its success. Some early posters of Bombai Ka Babu still survive with Madhubala in them. One of them announces the upcoming attraction: 'Raj Khosla and Jal Mistry present Dev Anand, Madhubala... He lost a world but found a home...! Raj Khosla's Bombai ka Babu'

The poster shows a distressed Madhubala, with Dev Anand sprawled on a globe. Another poster features a happier Madhubala with Dev looking all menacing, wielding a stick.

But Madhubala's health was worsening every day. She had started turning down offers. One of the major projects that she had to decline was Bombai ka Babu.

'I think she had a premonition of the illness that was to interrupt her shining career,' Raj wrote. 'I was about to sign her for Bombai Ka Babu when she said, friendly as ever, but with a touch of sadness in her voice, 'I think you had better take someone else for your own good.'