Highlights
- Director Rajiv Rai recalled how Naseeruddin Shah felt nervous about filming the song and romancing his much younger co-star.
- Shah told Rai that Sonam was younger than his daughter, Heeba Shah.
- Sonam was excited to work with the veteran actor and asked the director not to change her casting.
Naseeruddin Shah felt awkward about filming the sensual song Tirchi Topiwale with Sonam in the 1989 action film Tridev, director Rajiv Rai has revealed. The veteran actor was not only nervous about dancing on screen but also pointed out that his co-star was younger than his daughter.
In a recent interview with Vickey Lalwani, Rai recalled how he helped Shah overcome his hesitation about performing the song. He also shared the conversation in which Shah brought up their age difference and revealed how Sonam reacted when the subject came up.
Naseeruddin Shah was nervous about dancing
Rai said Shah was shy about filming Tirchi Topiwale because dancing was not his strength. The actor was concerned about how he would perform a song that required him to dance on screen.
The director recalled reassuring him that he did not need to approach the sequence as a dancer. Instead, Rai encouraged Shah to treat the steps as an acting performance and adapt them to his style.
He explained that Shah asked whether he was sure this approach would work. Rai said he encouraged the actor not to overthink the choreography or feel burdened by the steps.
According to the director, the conversation helped Shah feel more comfortable with the song.
Shah told Rai about the age difference
Rai also recalled a separate conversation in which Shah raised the age gap between himself and Sonam.
While discussing the script, Shah told the director that his daughter from his first marriage, Heeba Shah, was older than Sonam. He asked Rai whether this would matter to him.
Rai said he saw no problem with the casting, explaining that the film was a work of fiction rather than a realistic documentary. He also described Shah as an honest person who felt it was his responsibility to bring up the matter.
The director clarified that Shah had raised the age difference during their discussion, rather than asking for the casting to be changed.
Sonam was keen to work with Shah
Rai also spoke to Sonam about the age difference and asked whether she was comfortable working opposite Shah.
According to the director, Sonam was enthusiastic about the opportunity and did not want her casting to change. She reportedly told him that Shah was one of the best actors in the country and that she was eager to work with him.
Released in 1989, Tridev featured an ensemble cast that included Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Madhuri Dixit, Sangeeta Bijlani, Anupam Kher and Amrish Puri, alongside Shah and Sonam.
The film remains remembered in part for its music, including the popular song Tirchi Topiwale.
