“Was taken aback by Madhuri’s beauty”, Himani Shivpuri talks about Hum Aapke Hain Koun and her days at NSD

In an interview with Patriot, veteran actor Himani Shivpuri shared behind-the-scenes stories from her time on the set of Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), revealing unplanned moments with Salman Khan and her first impression of Madhuri Dixit

Himani, celebrated for her theatre background and extensive film career, recounted how an improvised scene with Khan made it to the final cut, while her initial meeting with Dixit left her captivated by the star’s beauty and grace.

“It was a scene where Salman plays a prank on me, and I chase him, leading to him picking me up. That lift wasn’t scripted. Coming from a theatre background, I instinctively knew how to react. Sooraj Barjatya Ji liked the shot and decided to keep it in the film,” she shared with Patriot.

Also read: A poet and filmmaker on embracing the journey called life

Himani admitted she was “taken aback by Madhuri’s beauty.” “There were about 30 chairs, each with a star’s name, and mine was included. Sooraj Ji introduced me to Madhuri, saying I was a renowned actress from Delhi theatre. She stood up and greeted me. I was taken aback by her beauty,” she said. Himani added that this introduction with the megastar marked the beginning of their collaboration on several films, including Raja and Anjaam.

The 64-year-old actress shared that her husband encouraged her to explore acting in films. After moving to Mumbai, she started performing in plays, one of which was directed by Sooraj Barjatya.

Impressed by her work, Barjatya offered her a role in his film Hum Aapke Hain Koun, which she described as “the beginning of my journey.”

Since then, she has appeared in several notable films, including Raja, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hero No. 1, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Saath-Saath Hain, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

The actor described her time at Delhi’s National School of Drama (NSD) as a transformative learning experience.

Himani recalled her first time away from home in Dehradun, noting that she missed her family but was kept busy with intensive theatre activities. She took part in numerous plays and spent days “filled with rehearsals and training,” learning about aspects like lighting and costumes from visiting experts. Speaking to Patriot, she fondly remembered performing at iconic venues like Mandi House’s Kamani Auditorium and the Sri Ram Centre.

Also read: ‘Citadel’ a dialogue with India over storytelling, films and shows: filmmaker Anthony Russo

Coming from a small town, Himani reflected on how her time at NSD was life changing. She vividly described her initial impression of campus life, recalling her surprise upon seeing actress Neena Gupta “wearing a halter top and smoking,” a sight unfamiliar to her.

Although she had been involved in theatre since school, she hadn’t considered it as a career. Her interest grew after attending NSD workshops, which led her to apply.

Around that time, she also had a scholarship for a course in the US, but she chose NSD in Delhi instead, setting her on a path that transformed her life.

From the start, she aimed to pursue theatre. “These days, many artists see theatre as a stepping stone to Bollywood because many find success after graduating from NSD. Theatre deserves serious attention, yet many regard it lightly,” she said.

“Theatre is my first love. I do films and TV, but I still engage in theatre. I teach at Mumbai University and NSD. It’s a form of meditation that keeps me alive,” she added.

Himani observed how the film industry has changed over the years, noting that when she started, directors handled casting themselves. Nowadays, casting directors, often from unrelated backgrounds, have become integral to the process.

She reflected on past perceptions of theatre artists in the film world, explaining that theatre actors, known for deeply exploring their roles, were once viewed sceptically by commercial directors.

She recounted how the late Reema Lagoo once remarked she “didn’t look like an NSD graduate” due to the stereotype that NSD actors tend to overanalyse. Happily, she noted, this bias has faded, and theatre artists are now more welcomed.

Praising director Shyam Benegal, Himani described him as “one of the finest,” on par with legends like Satyajit Ray, expressing her admiration for his mastery in films such as Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda and Mammo.

On the rise of OTT platforms, Himani emphasised their transformative potential. She explained that with a single subscription, audiences can now watch numerous films from home, encouraging the creation of new content that doesn’t demand large budgets and offering fresh opportunities for actors, directors, and writers alike.