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Released in 2006, ‘Rang De Basanti’ is an iconic film. It is also the highest grossing film of the year. The cast featured Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor and Atul Kulkarni in lead roles. You would hardly know that director Rakesh Om Prakash had earlier narrated the story to Abhishek Bachchan for ‘Rang De Basanti’ but he rejected it. He said that he could not understand the story narrated by Rakesh.
Called the director a bad narrator
Speaking to Galata Plus, Abhishek said that in the 90s, Rakesh had a script for a period film called ‘Samjauta Express’. He wanted Amitabh Bachchan to produce it under his banner ABCL. Abhishek says, ‘Then I came to know that Rakesh is the worst storyteller in the world. Just read their scripts, never hear the narration from them. He will confuse you which he did to me during Rang De Basanti.
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Abhishek continues, ‘I didn’t understand why they were moving from one time zone to another. Then it was called Patent Yellow. I said, I don’t understand, I don’t want to do it. After that he made Rangde Basanti. The next time he came for Delhi 6, I said, yes, do it. I haven’t even read the script. He did not reveal which role he was offered in Rang De Basanti.
Later the friendship deepened
Abhishek then acted in ‘Delhi 6’ directed by Rakesh. The film stars Sonam Kapoor, Divya Dutta, Om Puri, Aditi Rao Hydari, Rishi Kapoor and Waheeda Rahman. Amitabh Bachchan had a cameo role in this film.
Abhishek told how he later befriended Rakesh. He did many ad films with his father. Talking about ‘Samjauta Express’, the actor said that the two worked on the film for a few months.