Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna's iconic film "Aradhana" remains cherished by fans as a highlight of their careers. However, in a recent interview, Farida Jalal, who also starred in the 1969 film, revealed that the set wasn't without its challenges. She recalled feeling inexperienced at the time, and Sharmila Tagore was so protective of her that she would even dismiss Rajesh Khanna during the shoot.
When asked about working with Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila described it as "very nice." She reflected on her nervousness during the film shoot, noting her upbringing as a convent girl raised by her maternal grandmother and mother. Despite coming from a small family with no father figure since her parents' divorce when she was two, she recalled her shy demeanour upon entering the industry right after school, especially during her romantic song sequences with Rajesh Khanna.
She continued, "Sharmila ji, whom I used to call Rinku di, was such a pillar of support. She looked after me and was always protective. Whenever something bothered me on set, she would stand by my side and even dismiss Shakti Da and Rajesh Khanna if needed. During the romantic song 'Baghon Mein Bahar Hai' with Rajesh Khanna, I was nervous and asked for an extra rehearsal. His response put me off for the rest of the film, but Sharmila ji reassured me, saying we could have as many rehearsals as needed. She was a darling."
