It's easy to forget that, until a few decades ago, most actors' consent was never taken into consideration in intimate sequences in an industry that still recalls the #MeToo movement and employs intimacy coordinators to help performers feel comfortable. It was rare for powerful individuals to take young actors' feelings and desires seriously. For example, in this contentious scene from a 1969 movie, a celebrity attacked a fifteen-year-old actress.
1. Rekha’s early bollywood career and Anjana Safar
Rekha, the actress Pushpavalli's and gemini Ganesan's daughter, started her career as a lead in 1969. Anjana Safar—later renamed Do Shikaari—was the name she signed. The 15-year-old was partnered with 32-year-old bengali celebrity Biswajit Chatterjee.
2. When Biswajit forcibly kissed Rekha
The actress, in her recently released book Rekha: The Untold Story, informed of how Biswajit and the film's director, Kuljit Pal, had plotted to get her to kiss without her permission. Biswajit had to court rekha for a scene, but as the camera rolled, the actor surprised the adolescent by kissing her. The shot was not trimmed by the filmmaker.
3. How rekha was left in Tears
Rekha was shocked after the shot and started crying on the set. The teenage girl reportedly had to be persuaded to return to shoot more sequences because she was so taken aback by the way she was handled.
4. When Biswajit laughed off the incident
The kiss remained in the movie even though it caused a lot of controversy once it was revealed in the media. In an interview, Biswajit justified his performance, claiming that he carried out the director's instructions solely. The actor said that the crowd adored the sequence, proving that it was the right decision.
5. Do Shikaari’s fate at the box office
After production problems caused delays, Anjana Safar, as it was then named, had a run-in with the Censor Board. Although the filming was finished in the early 1970s, it was shelved for many years. It wasn't until 1979 that it was released under the name Do Shikaari, but the box office performance was poor.
1. Rekha’s early bollywood career and Anjana Safar
Rekha, the actress Pushpavalli's and gemini Ganesan's daughter, started her career as a lead in 1969. Anjana Safar—later renamed Do Shikaari—was the name she signed. The 15-year-old was partnered with 32-year-old bengali celebrity Biswajit Chatterjee.
2. When Biswajit forcibly kissed Rekha
The actress, in her recently released book Rekha: The Untold Story, informed of how Biswajit and the film's director, Kuljit Pal, had plotted to get her to kiss without her permission. Biswajit had to court rekha for a scene, but as the camera rolled, the actor surprised the adolescent by kissing her. The shot was not trimmed by the filmmaker.
3. How rekha was left in Tears
Rekha was shocked after the shot and started crying on the set. The teenage girl reportedly had to be persuaded to return to shoot more sequences because she was so taken aback by the way she was handled.
4. When Biswajit laughed off the incident
The kiss remained in the movie even though it caused a lot of controversy once it was revealed in the media. In an interview, Biswajit justified his performance, claiming that he carried out the director's instructions solely. The actor said that the crowd adored the sequence, proving that it was the right decision.
5. Do Shikaari’s fate at the box office
After production problems caused delays, Anjana Safar, as it was then named, had a run-in with the Censor Board. Although the filming was finished in the early 1970s, it was shelved for many years. It wasn't until 1979 that it was released under the name Do Shikaari, but the box office performance was poor.
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