A Look Back at Abhishek Bachchan's Journey with Goldie Behl in 'Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai'

The Bond Between Abhishek Bachchan and Goldie Behl

Director Goldie Behl shares a deep familial connection with Abhishek Bachchan, as their fathers were close friends. The late Ramesh Behl, Goldie's father, collaborated with Amitabh Bachchan on films like Kasme Vade and Pukar. Given this history, it was only fitting for Abhishek to star in Goldie's debut film as a director.

Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai (BISKH) faced challenges at the box office despite its potential. I had cautioned Abhishek about working with friends, but he responded, "It's fine. Goldie and others like Rohan Sippy are friends from my childhood. Collaborating with Goldie feels natural, and I will continue to work with him as long as he wishes." Abhishek justified his personal relationships intertwining with his professional life. Seven years later, he collaborated with Goldie again on the superhero film Drona, which unfortunately did not fare well either.

The Story and Cast of BISKH

BISKH tells the tale of Suraj, a young man from Varanasi, and his experiences with corruption in the city. This film marked the beginning of Abhishek's on-screen partnership with Rani Mukerji, who played Pooja, a character symbolizing innocence and love. Their chemistry sparked rumors of a romantic relationship, especially after Abhishek's breakup with Karisma Kapoor, although his serious relationship was with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Sushmita Sen, who portrayed the character Lara in BISKH, also attracted significant media attention. At that time, I was close to both Abhishek and Sushmita, hoping they would become a couple. However, Abhishek referred to Sushmita as 'Didi,' a term of endearment she embraced. When he married Aishwarya, Sushmita expressed her happiness, stating, "I’m thrilled for my brother Abhishek and Ash, who has been a friend for years. She deserves happiness, and I feel proud to call him my brother."

Reflections on BISKH

Jackie Shroff played the antagonist in BISKH, portraying Naved Ali, a media mogul with political aspirations. Abhishek admired Jackie, saying, "Hero-worshipping Jackie Uncle was easy; he has an innate charm."

Despite its shortcomings, Abhishek looks back at BISKH with pride, stating, "I cherish my association with Goldie and his sister Sristi. Although BISKH didn't succeed, it didn't stop us from reuniting for Drona, where my mother, Jaya Bachchan, played my mom. I take pride in both films, regardless of their box office performance."

Controversies During Filming

During the filming of BISKH, Abhishek encountered a conflict with a photographer, leading to the arrest of two crew members. Reflecting on the incident, he remarked, "I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong, so why was I involved in this mess? Ironically, when we returned to Delhi, the same photographer who accused me became our public relations officer and even apologized for the incident." Abhishek maintains a calm demeanor, emphasizing that he is in the industry to act, not to engage in controversies. He quipped, "To anyone who asks about my personal life, I say: it’s none of your business!"