Amitabh was hesitant to work with Nana in Kohram

Bollywood superstar

Amitabh Bachchan

made a comeback to the Hindi film industry following his 1992 semi-retirement with the release of ‘

Mrityudaata

’ in 1997. Big B not only starred in the movie but also provided financial backing for the Mehul Kumar-directed production. Mehul recently talked about bringing Punjabi musician

Daler Mehndi

to Hindi cinema with this film and relaunching Amitabh in the film industry.

During a conversation with Bollywood Thikana, Mehul recalled how he wrote the plot for ‘Mrityudaata’ on a real-life surgeon who would have a drink before conducting surgery because it helped him focus. Amitabh agreed right away to both star in and produce the picture after the director showed him the script, and he also paid Mehul the signing money.
Not only did Big B join the team, but Mehul also introduced the popular Punjabi musician Daler Mehndi to the Hindi film industry. After hearing the singer’s well-known hit ‘Na Na Na Re’, the director decided it would be ideal for his movie. He said, “I thought it would be amazing to have this song in the film. I told Big B about Daler Mehndi and his song and how we could use it in the film. He agreed immediately.”
Mehul further added, “I called Daler Mehndi, and at first, he could not believe it. He told me, ‘Please don’t joke with me.’ He couldn’t believe that he would sing for Amitabh Bachchan and also feature in the music video of the song. He told me, ‘I can’t believe it.’ He refused to take even a single penny for the song. He said, ‘Give me whatever you want for the shooting. This is the biggest opportunity of my life.’ That song became a super hit.”

Mehul also talked about Mrityudaata’s failure at the box office and stated that the film didn’t work well because maybe their timing was wrong, or perhaps the fact that a doctor does surgery after drinking offended people.
Following the box office failure of ‘Mrityudaata’, Mehul approached Amitabh Bachchan for a different movie titled ‘

Kohram

’, which would also feature

Nana Patekar

in the lead role. Even though this was Mehul and Nana’s third movie together—which also included the popular ‘Krantiveer’—it was Amitabh and Nana’s first time appearing on a big screen together. Mehul felt confident in his casting decision, but because Nana had a bad reputation for being rude, Amitabh was a little concerned about working with him.

Mehul shared Big B’s reaction on his decision of casting Nana Patekar. The filmmake said, “I narrated the story of Kohram to Amit ji, and he liked it. I told him Nana Patekar is also starring in the film, and he said, ‘Nana bhi hai?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ Later, I told Nana about my meeting with Big B, and he asked me, ‘Did you take my name?’ I told him I did. He also had that reaction.”
He further added that Big B might have heard about Nana’s rude behaviour. He shared, “Amit ji must have heard things about Nana, that he speaks rudely and says anything to anybody. I told Amitabh ji that this will be my third film with Nana Patekar and he has never created any problem. He will stay with respect with you. Amitabh ji said, ‘No problem. I am doing this film because you are producing and directing it.’”
Directed by

Mehul Kumar

, ‘Kohram’ is a 1999 action thriller film. It features an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Nana Patekar, Jaya Prada, Tabu, Mukul Dev, Mukesh Rishi, Danny Denzongpa, Jackie Shroff, Kabir Bedi and Ayesha Jhulka in the pivotal roles.