This Amitabh Bachchan heroine reveals why she was unceremoniously dropped from this 1981 film: 'Not here to make friends'

Veteran film actress Moushumi Chatterjee, known for her straightforward nature, recently opened up about a startling moment from her cinematic journey. In a candid interview, she revealed how she was dropped from a major project with Amitabh Bachchan, even though she had already signed on. With elegance and no bitterness, Moushumi reflected on the incident, shared her thoughts on the industry, and emphasized how she has always preferred self-respect to popularity games.

A Successful Pair, Then a Sudden Rift

Back in the 1970s, Chatterjee and Bachchan were among Bollywood’s most admired screen duos, having starred together in successful films like Benaam, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, and Manzil. However, their collaboration came to a halt in 1981 during the making of Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, directed by Shakti Samanta.

Recalling the moment, Moushumi said, “One day, Shakti uncle phoned me and asked, ‘Did something happen between you and Amitabh?’ I told him honestly, ‘Uncle, I’m not close enough to anyone for fights. I always keep things professional.’ He replied, ‘That’s exactly the issue. Most leading men say they don’t vibe well with you.’”

He went on to ask if she understood what “tuning” meant. Moushumi responded, “Maybe I do now. Perhaps it implies something more personal. But I never came into this industry to make friends. I came here to work.”

Replaced But Not Resentful

Although she had been finalized for the role, Moushumi was eventually replaced by Rakhee Gulzar. Still, she handled the situation with dignity. “When Shakti uncle informed me of the decision, I offered to return the signing money. He refused and promised to cast me in his next film instead,” she recalled. True to his word, she later starred in Anand Ashram under his direction.

She added, “I understood his position. He couldn’t afford to upset the most bankable star of that time.”

Reunited with Grace

Years later, she and Bachchan shared the screen again in the 2015 film Piku. Though her role was small, she spoke fondly of the experience: “Amitabh was incredibly professional and punctual. The younger actors today can learn a lot from him.”

On Being Mistaken for Jaya Bachchan

In the same conversation, Moushumi also addressed a moment when photographers confused her with Jaya Bachchan. Her response made waves: “Please don’t call me Jaya Bachchan. I believe I’m a better person.” She clarified that she dislikes comparisons and values individuality, adding, “When someone avoids the spotlight, you can’t force them into fame.”