Raza Murad Recalls How Hrishikesh Mukherjee Locked Amitabh Bachchan And Rajesh Khanna On Set During ‘Namak Haraam’ Shoot

March 30, 2025: Veteran actor Raza Murad recently shared some fascinating anecdotes from his time working with Bollywood legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, and Raaj Kumar. Murad, who has been part of over 100 films, gained prominence with Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Namak Haraam (1973), where he was part of an unforgettable film set.

In an exclusive interview, Murad opened up about a memorable incident during the filming of Namak Haraam, involving director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rajesh Khanna.

According to Murad, the story unfolded while filming the song Sooni Re Sejaria with Jayashree T and Habiba Rehman. The director, frustrated with the actors taking phone calls during the shoot, decided to take strict action to maintain discipline on the set.

Murad recalled, “The studio was quite far from the office, and at one point, Rajesh Khanna, also called ‘Pintu’ by the director, went to attend a phone call, causing delays. Hrishikesh Mukherjee got angry because it was costing the producer money, and when Amitabh Bachchan, too, was caught on a phone call, the director had enough.”

Mukherjee, in a rare outburst, called both actors and reprimanded them, pointing out that each minute of delay was costing the production Rs. 4000. Murad laughed, recalling how Mukherjee then locked both Amitabh and Rajesh inside the studio until the song was completed. “He told them, ‘Until this song is finished, no one is leaving the set,’” Murad said, explaining how the director even called for a watchman to lock the gates to ensure no one left.

Apart from his experiences with Namak Haraam, Murad also recounted a more controversial chapter involving the late actor Raaj Kumar. Murad shared a shocking incident where Raaj Kumar, during his earlier years, had been involved in a tragic altercation at Juhu beach. Apparently, a man passed an offensive comment about Raaj Kumar’s girlfriend, which caused the actor to lash out in anger. The resulting violence led to the man’s death, and Raaj Kumar faced a murder case.

Despite the severity of the situation, Murad revealed that Raaj Kumar was acquitted after a long legal battle. “Raaj sir was a Kashmiri Pandit who had served as a police sub-inspector before entering films. His career was marked by an unwavering sense of individuality,” Murad recalled. He remembered Raaj Kumar for his strong personality, his iconic dialogue delivery, and the unique style he brought to every performance. Murad fondly remembered the actor’s towering presence, even sharing a personal memory where Raaj Kumar bent down to allow him to place a garland on him, showing his humility despite his stature.

Murad’s reflections also shed light on how Raaj Kumar’s dialogue delivery became an iconic part of his appeal, with fans eagerly awaiting his slow, deliberate style of speaking, which became his trademark. Despite his intense on-screen persona, Murad described Raaj Kumar as a man with a “rich heart” who lived life on his own terms.

Raza Murad’s stories not only celebrate the grandeur and personalities of these Bollywood icons but also offer a glimpse into the lesser-known moments of the industry’s golden era.