Behind the Scenes: The Untold Stories of Bollywood Blockbusters

1. The Tornado That Almost Halted ‘Lagaan’

Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan is one of Bollywood’s most celebrated films, but its production was anything but easy. During the shoot in Bhuj, Gujarat, a tornado unexpectedly hit the set, causing extensive damage. The massive storm destroyed equipment and sets, and the crew had to rebuild everything from scratch. Despite this, the film went on to become a classic, even earning an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

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2. "I was clinically dead for a couple of minutes" - Amitabh Bachchan’s Near-Death Experience on the Set of ‘Coolie’

The making of Coolie is marked by one of Bollywood’s most infamous accidents. While filming an action sequence with co-star Puneet Issar, Amitabh Bachchan suffered a near-fatal injury. A mistimed punch caused internal bleeding, leading to emergency surgery. The nation held its breath as Big B fought for his life in the hospital. Miraculously, he recovered, and when Coolie was finally released, it became a massive hit, with the scene that almost claimed Bachchan’s life forever etched in Bollywood history.

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3. The 14-Year-Long Journey of ‘Mughal-e-Azam’

Lagaan wasn’t the only epic to face hurdles—Mughal-e-Azam had its own set of challenges. K. Asif’s magnum opus took a staggering 14 years to complete, with numerous cast changes, financial issues, and technical difficulties along the way. Originally, the film was planned in black and white, but Asif’s vision demanded grandeur, leading to the partial colorization of key scenes. The delay was worth it; the film set new standards for Indian cinema and is still revered as a masterpiece.

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4. The Real Slumdog Behind ‘Slumdog Millionaire’

While technically a British production, Slumdog Millionaire owes much of its success to its Bollywood roots. What many don’t know is that Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who played young Latika and Salim, actually lived in the slums of Mumbai. After the film’s global success, there was a surge of media attention on the child actors’ real-life conditions, which led to efforts to improve their living situations. The film’s rags-to-riches storyline eerily mirrored the lives of its young stars.

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5. Shah Rukh Khan didn't want to do ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) is one of Bollywood’s most beloved films, but Shah Rukh Khan was initially reluctant to take on the role of Raj. At the time, SRK was known for his intense, negative roles in films like Darr and Baazigar. He wasn’t sure if he could convincingly play a romantic hero. Director Aditya Chopra, however, was determined and convinced Khan to take the plunge. The rest, as they say, is history—Raj became one of the most iconic characters in Bollywood, and DDLJ is still running in theaters decades later.

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6. Aamir Khan’s Transformation in ‘Dangal’

Aamir Khan is known for his dedication to his roles, but his transformation for Dangal took things to a new level. Khan gained a massive 25 kilograms to play the older, retired wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat. After shooting the portions where he portrayed Phogat in his later years, Khan then went through an intense weight-loss regime to portray the younger, fitter version of his character. This commitment to authenticity paid off, as Dangal became one of Bollywood’s highest-grossing films, with Khan’s performance earning widespread acclaim.

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7. The Birth of ‘Sholay’ on a Road Trip

One of Bollywood’s most iconic films, Sholay, was born from a simple idea during a road trip. Writers Salim-Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar) were on a trip from Bangalore to Mysore when they started brainstorming about a film that would blend elements of a Western with Indian sensibilities. The concept of a “curry Western” took shape, and by the end of the trip, the skeleton of Sholay’s story was ready. Despite a lukewarm initial response, Sholay eventually became a cultural phenomenon and is often regarded as the greatest Indian film of all time.

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8. The Unexpected Source of Inspiration for ‘Chennai Express’

Rohit Shetty’s Chennai Express is a madcap action-comedy, but its origin story is equally unexpected. Shetty was inspired by the classic Tamil film Thillana Mohanambal, a 1968 musical drama. The idea of a North Indian hero meeting a South Indian heroine during a train journey was born out of Shetty’s love for the regional film, which led to the creation of Chennai Express—a film that became one of the highest-grossing Bollywood movies at the time of its release.

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9. The Real Inspiration Behind ‘Chak De! India’ (2007)

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Chak De! India, starring Shah Rukh Khan as Kabir Khan, is a film that resonated deeply with audiences, becoming one of Bollywood's most iconic sports dramas. The story of a disgraced hockey player turned coach who leads the Indian women’s hockey team to victory struck a chord with its themes of redemption, patriotism, and unity. However, what many don't know is that the character of Kabir Khan and the film's plot were inspired by a real-life incident. The film was loosely based on the story of Mir Ranjan Negi, a former Indian hockey goalkeeper who faced severe criticism after India’s crushing defeat to Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games. Negi was unfairly accused of match-fixing, and his career took a nosedive. Years later, Negi made a comeback—not as a player, but as a coach. He played a significant role in training the Indian women’s hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. His journey of redemption inspired the character of Kabir Khan in Chak De! India.

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10. "I am looking like Sachin Tendulkar" - Priyanka Chopra on the first day of ‘Barfi!’

Barfi's director Anurag Basu shared that the first scene he filmed was the intense moment when Jhilmil, played by Priyanka Chopra, arrives at Barfi's house. Both Priyanka and Ranbir Kapoor were initially hesitant to start with such a serious scene. Priyanka was so nervous that she didn’t want to leave her vanity van, even jokingly telling Basu, "I’m looking like Sachin Tendulkar!" However, Basu insisted, and the scene turned out brilliantly. Did you know, the characters of Jhilmil and Barfi were inspired by real-life individuals, Razia and Murtaza, a deaf and mute guy whom Basu met at Sanskar Dham. Their unique bond deeply moved Basu, inspiring the heartwarming story of Barfi!.

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The world of Bollywood is filled with untold stories that are just as captivating as the films themselves. These behind-the-scenes tales reveal the dedication, passion, and sheer willpower that go into making a Bollywood blockbuster. The next time you watch one of these iconic films, remember that the magic on screen is often the result of overcoming countless obstacles and embracing creative risks that make Bollywood the vibrant industry it is today.