The iconic song "Jumma Chumma De De" from the 1991 film Hum remains a Bollywood favorite, but behind the scenes, its signature hook step faced initial resistance from none other than Amitabh Bachchan himself. Choreographer Chinni Prakash recently revealed the story of how the legendary actor initially found the dance move "vulgar" and how Jaya Bachchan played a crucial role in its inclusion.
According to Chinni Prakash, when he first showed Amitabh Bachchan the hook step in his vanity van, the actor was far from impressed. Bachchan felt the move was too suggestive and didn't suit his stature. "He saw the hook step I did for 'Jumma Chumma' and said, 'It is vulgar. What are you doing? It looks bad,'" Chinni Prakash recounted. The choreographer, however, believed the step was essential to the song's appeal and tried to persuade the actor.
Despite Chinni Prakash's conviction, Amitabh Bachchan remained hesitant. He even suggested trying alternative steps, with the option of removing the original if it didn't work. Chinni Prakash, determined to keep the hook step, reportedly "begged him to do the hook step". Adding to the drama, Chinni Prakash's assistants were initially too scared to even show the step to Amitabh Bachchan.
The turning point came when Jaya Bachchan saw the edited version of the song. Unlike her husband, she loved the hook step. "When we saw the song after editing, Jaya Bachchan was also present, and she was happy to see that step. She said, 'This is the best step, people will not forget this'," Chinni Prakash revealed. Jaya Bachchan even insisted that the step be retained, predicting it would become a hit and be remembered for years to come.
With Jaya Bachchan's approval, Amitabh Bachchan relented, and the "vulgar" hook step became an integral part of the song's success. "Jumma Chumma" went on to become a massive hit, with the dance steps becoming iconic. Chinni Prakash even won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreographer for the song.
Beyond the hook step controversy, the filming of "Jumma Chumma" had other challenges. Chinni Prakash shared an anecdote about the sequence where Amitabh Bachchan sprays Kimi Katkar with water from a high-pressure nozzle. The pressure was so intense that it threw her off balance, causing her to fall and get hurt. Despite these difficulties, the song's energy and grandeur captivated audiences.
The story of "Jumma Chumma" highlights the collaborative nature of filmmaking and how different perspectives can shape a song's destiny. While Amitabh Bachchan initially disapproved of the hook step, Jaya Bachchan's foresight and Chinni Prakash's persistence ensured its place in Bollywood history.
