Flashback to 2013 when Bombay Talkies became the talk of the town, not just for its star-studded ensemble, but also for its bold storytelling. Among the highlights? A romantic kiss between Saqib Saleem and Randeep Hooda in the short film Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh, directed by Karan Johar. But behind that cinematic moment, there was a lot of tension.
In a candid chat with Bollywood Bubble, Saqib opened up about the awkwardness on set. Apparently, everyone was on edge as the scene approached. “Everybody was extremely tense,” Saqib recalled, highlighting the anxiety around the kiss. The big question was: How do we pull this off without making it too awkward?
Despite the tension, the scene was shot in one take. “After the scene, Karan said, ‘Okay, got it, moving on,’” Saqib shared. He and Randeep exchanged glances, wondering if they had done it right. “We were like, ‘Hogaya?’” to which Karan responded, “Yes, it’s good.” And just like that, they moved on – no big dramatic aftermath.
Looking back, Saqib recognized how significant that moment was, not just for him, but for queer representation in Indian cinema. “Back then, there weren’t many good homosexual characters in films. They were often used as comedic relief,” he said. Bombay Talkies, however, brought mainstream attention to queer narratives, making the kiss more than just an intimate moment – it was a step towards breaking barriers.
So while it might have been awkward on set, Saqib sees it as a memorable and important scene in the evolution of Indian cinema. No awkwardness in that!