Abhishek Bachchan has shared his experience of filming his first dialogue scene in the movie Refugee in the year 2000. He had to do seventeen retakes for the scene, which was witnessed by an enthusiastic audience from nearby villages. Abhishek was nervous as he had misunderstood that he only had to learn one line, but in reality, it was a three-page scene. He admitted being a “wreck” during the shoot directed by JP Dutta.
In the movie, Abhishek portrayed an Indian Muslim character without a given name, who assists illegal refugees from India and Pakistan in crossing the border via the Great Rann of Kutch. Additionally, the film also served as a debut for Kareena Kapoor Khan.
In an interview with a leading entertainment portal, Abhishek remembered how OP Dutta, the director’s father and a writer, had given him instructions about his lines in a scene where he acted alongside Kulbhushan Kharbanda, who portrayed Kareena’s father in the movie Refugee.
He said, “I remember OP sahab came and said let me tell you the dialogues and I was like ya sure. It was a scene between me and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. I had to fill jerry cans with water, as I embark on a trip with them. He asks, ‘Mr, what is your name?’ and I had to say, ‘Name? Refugee.’ I thought I got this, I am the bomb, I know how to do this.’ In my foolish, immature arrogance, the moment he told me the dialogue ‘Name Refugee’, I switched off! So I didn’t even listen to the three pages of dialogues after that! I had no clue.”
While filming, Abhishek delivered his line and assumed there was no need for a cut by JP Dutta, so he continued with the scene. However, as the pause grew longer and more uncomfortable, he realised his mistake. Dutta was also baffled as to why Abhishek wasn’t delivering his additional lines. Eventually, Dutta informed Abhishek that he was pronouncing “refugee” with a western accent and advised him to avoid doing so. Abhishek acknowledged this feedback and believed he could easily make the necessary adjustment.
When the shot began agin, Abhishek stopped on the same line but was then asked by Dutta about the remaining lines to which Abhishek asked him, “What rest of the dialogue! That’s when I got to know there were three pages and oh my God, all hell broke loose!”
During the filming, Abhishek filled the cans while shivering and there were multiple retakes. A large crowd of people from nearby villages had gathered to watch the shoot, as they were excited to see the presence of ‘Bachchan’s son’.
He said, “All the actors were there, Reena Roy ji, Anupam Kher ji, who is also one of my acting coaches, he is sitting there and suddenly I started thinking all these guys would call my dad and say, ‘Amit ji, ye toh gaya kaam se, isko waapas bula lo.’ There were people whispering and all of that. I had to do 17 retakes and it was just chaos! I was sweating, panicking and JP sahab understood that this guy has lost the plot.”
The actor expressed that due to JP Dutta’s reputation as a strict and demanding director, he was anxious about making mistakes during filming. He admitted to constantly worrying that he would be reprimanded or physically punished every time the director called for a cut. Even after 17 takes, the actor was still nervous and believed that he would be fired from the project.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Abhishek is currently gearing up for the release of his film Ghoomer. The film is directed by R Balki and stars Saiyami Kher. The film is scheduled to release on August 18.
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