Jaya Bachchan is a strong woman who speaks her mind without hesitation. Whether it’s leaving movie screenings she doesn’t like or criticizing her son’s film, Happy New Year, she doesn’t hold back. She even called out her husband, Amitabh Bachchan, for remaking Sholay with Ram Gopal Varma.
In the remake called Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, Amitabh starred as Gabbar, alongside Ajay Devgn and Sushmita Sen. Jaya Bachchan and Hema Malini teamed up to criticize the film, even before its release. Karan Johar discussed their opinions on the remake on his show, Koffee With Karan.
Jaya Bachchan immediately quipped, “Why are you asking me this question? I am already in trouble with Ram Gopal Varma and Amitabh Bachchan because of that.”
Karan was very intrigued to know the whole story, and asked Jaya Ji further, “Did you say something you shouldn’t have?”
Jaya Bachchan did not mince her words and said, “I was coming out of the parliament, and the press asked me; I said no, it should not be made.” Pointing towards the OG Basanti Hema Malini, Jaya ji said, “So did she.”
Hema Ji agreed to the conversation and said, “I said the same thing. It can be seen again and again but should not be made again. But I am sure he must be making it in some other or different style.” Jaya Bachchan, still displeased at the thought, continued, “Then he should call it Ramgopal Varma Ka Sholay.”
Karan Johar was caught off guard by the sudden decision of the two veteran actors to cancel the film and further asked, “You’ll see another Basanti, and you’ll see another Radha.”
Following this, the two actresses offered their playful criticism of the film in development and said, “Probably, these two characters should not be there in the film.” However, Hema Malini then said, “I would love to see it, though.” But Jaya Bachchan’s helpless reaction won the discussion as she said, “I will ‘HAVE’ to see it. There’s no choice!”
Though the actresses made light of it, the audience did too – the film flopped, and RGV is blamed for ruining a classic.
