Veteran actress Moushumi Chatterjee has recently revisited an incident involving the late superstar Rajesh Khanna, recalling a "nasty" remark he made during the filming of Prem Bandhan. In a recent interview, Chatterjee recounted how she responded to Khanna's comment, emphasizing that she never gave importance to stardom and always valued respect and dignity.
The incident occurred when Khanna allegedly questioned the paternity of Chatterjee's child, asking if the father was her husband, Jayanta Mukherjee, or actor Vinod Mehra. Chatterjee, known for her straightforward nature, didn't let the comment slide. In an interview with Lehren Retro, she revealed that she retorted with a question referencing Khanna's own children with Dimple Kapadia, asking, "Is it Rishi Kapoor's child or yours?" This response reportedly left Khanna speechless.
Chatterjee, in a conversation with Nayandeep Rakshith, shared that people often underestimated her resilience and were taken aback when she stood up for herself. She explained, "People used to get angry because I was never bothered so much. They used to be like, 'chalo time mila toh isko cheddte hain', so I used to give it back." She further added, "He thought that is fun. A lot of people who pass nasty remarks don't realize that they are actually showing what they are. You come from that surrounding. Nobody thought I can give it back. I was always like that. I never cared if you are a superhero or super heroine or anything like that.”
The actress emphasized that her respect wasn't based on someone's celebrity status. "If you are super, even while working as a spot boy, salute from me," she stated, highlighting her belief in treating everyone with dignity regardless of their position. Despite the uncomfortable incident, Chatterjee maintained a professional relationship with Khanna, and they continued to work together in films like Ghar Parivaar, Vijay, Humshakal, and Anuraag. She noted that there was never any awkwardness between them after the incident. "Raat gayi, baat gayi. He also distanced himself, thinking she wasn't an easy nut to crack," she recalled.
Chatterjee has previously spoken about Khanna's behavior, mentioning that he "played dirty many times." However, she also shared that she visited him during his final days, where he praised her in front of her younger daughter, acknowledging her strong and no-nonsense personality. Moushumi has observed Rajesh from close quarters, having worked with him in multiple films. In the same interview, Moushumi also shared how Rajesh Khanna would mischievously teach her Hindi abuses on set, aware that, as a Bengali, she was unaware of their meanings.
This incident highlights Moushumi Chatterjee's strong personality and her refusal to be intimidated by anyone, regardless of their stardom. It also provides a glimpse into the dynamics that existed between actors in the film industry and showcases the actress's unwavering commitment to self-respect and dignity.
