You have two very different mujras in the show — one is more erotic and playful, the other is yearning and melancholic. What were the preparations they required?
Both took three days to shoot, and a rehearsal of three to four days. But a lot of things are changed on set — for example, in the erotic mujra, ‘Saiyaan Hatto Jaao’, when I put the dupatta on my head and twirl or even the rose. I learned a dance and came, and what emerged was a dialogue between her, Wali Sahab (Fardeen Khan), and the unknown.
When we began shooting ‘Saiyaan Hatto Jaao’, I had recently recovered from COVID and had been overfed and put on weight, which Sanjay sir was immensely happy about because he thinks I am too skinny. What I found interesting is that in that mujra, there is that yearning for azadi (independence) that is woven into it, especially in that last shot, when my neck moves a little forward.
There is a story with the second mujra, ‘Phool Gendwa Na Maaro’, where the mother is sacrificing the daughter. Sir had given me a particular mujra which I learned, but one day on set, he said there is this other beautiful song, his favorite song, and he asked if I would perform that, instead. Of course I would! He uses this word “aamad”, saying it is my grace that I got this song.
Goodness on screen can come across as really boring. Is that something you worried about when you read this character, because there are no vices, she is only kind and generous, almost self-effacing. How do you layer this goodness, make it compelling?
It is so easy to make Bibbojaan one-tone, goody-two shoes and pasty. But it is the simmering that makes her interesting; there is agency, purpose, and rage. You don’t see the result of the simmer till the very end, but you know she is going to do something. That’s what keeps her interesting.
You die a lot in movies, Aditi.
I really do. (laughs) I know, but this time it counts for a lot, and I love it, and I would have it no other way. The quintessential heroine who can do no wrong, who then gives up everything — and that is the “hero arc” which Sanjay sir has given to the gentlest of the girls. The Joan of Arc-like hair was improvised. He wanted to look like it was just cut off. She almost looks like a little girl, so vulnerable.