Sooraj Barjatya: Took two anxiety pills before meeting Amitabh Bachchan

At the trailer launch for Uunchai, director Sooraj R Barjatya revealed that he needed anxiety pills to settle himself before meeting Amitabh Bachchan to discuss. Barjatya said, “I sat for the meeting, taking two anxiety medicines because it is not easy to face Sir [Bachchan].”

Barjatya also shared his experience with Bachchan on the sets of Uunchai along with an anecdote from when Barjatya had pitched Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon (2003) to Bachchan. “I realised that Sir is the easiest actor to work with. I enjoyed working with him on the sets but I enjoyed [his company] more in his vanity van. Because he would talk about life, poetry, filmmaking, he teaches us but on sets, he only listens and that’s the greatest thing.” he said. “I remember meeting Sir for the narration of Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon and he listens apalak (without blinking his eyes) and you cannot face the gaze, it’s not easy. When I wrote Uunchai script, I messaged him and he had given me time for a zoom meeting.

Uunchai also stars Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Neena Gupta, Sarika and Parineeti Chopra. Directed and produced by Barjatya, the film releases in theatres on November 11.