Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of Badshah Khan in Khuda Gawah remains one of the defining performances of his illustrious six-decade journey in cinema. Released over three decades ago, the 1992 classic continues to be remembered not only for its grandeur but also for the extraordinary risks taken during its making. On the film’s 30th anniversary, producer Manoj Desai opened up about the challenges, dangers, and unforgettable memories from the shoot, which took place in the midst of a war-torn Afghanistan.
Shooting Amid Chaos and Fear
In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Desai revealed that the team filmed Khuda Gawah during the turbulent period of the Soviet-Afghan War. Despite the breathtaking beauty of the landscape, the backdrop was marked by conflict, and danger lurked in every corner. The decision to shoot there came with immense risk, and naturally, the families of the cast were deeply worried.
Desai recalled the emotional reactions of two protective mothers—Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan—both of whom feared for the safety of their children. Sridevi’s mother was deeply anxious, warning Desai that if any harm came to her daughter, there would be severe consequences.
"She told him, 'Manoj ji, if anything happens to her, don't come back, otherwise I will kill you,'" he recalled.
Similarly, Teji Bachchan, Amitabh’s mother, gave a heartfelt yet stern warning, expressing that any tragedy involving her son would devastate their family. Desai described both these warnings not as threats but as desperate, loving pleas from mothers terrified of losing their children. Fortunately, despite the grave risks, the filming concluded safely, and the entire crew returned unharmed.
"If something happened to Munna (Amitabh) and Jaya wore a white saree, you would also commit suicide, and your wife would wear a white saree.." she told him.
Triumph in India and Beyond
Directed by Mukul Anand with music composed by the legendary duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal, Khuda Gawah was a cinematic triumph. The film collected more than ₹18 crore at the Indian box office — a massive figure for its time — and became an international success as well. In Afghanistan, it was screened to packed theatres for ten consecutive weeks in Kabul, a testament to Amitabh Bachchan’s immense popularity in the region.
The movie emerged as the third highest-grossing film in India, behind 'Beta' and 'Deewana'.
Amitabh’s Nostalgic Recollection of Afghanistan
Years later, in 2013, Amitabh Bachchan reminisced about his time filming in Afghanistan through a heartfelt Facebook post. He wrote about how the nation was then under President Najibullah Ahmadzai, a devoted admirer of Indian cinema, who ensured the Indian film crew was treated with royal hospitality. They were given VVIP treatment, flown across scenic landscapes in armed planes, and hosted by locals who vacated their homes to accommodate them.
Despite visible traces of war—tanks and soldiers filling the streets—the actor remembered it as one of the most memorable experiences of his life. He fondly described a helicopter ride with Danny Denzongpa, Biloo, and Mukul Anand, where the view of poppy fields turning the mountains pink and red left an everlasting impression.
A Farewell Draped in Honor
Before their departure, the Afghan president personally decorated the entire film unit with the “Order of Afghanistan.” The evening was filled with warmth and music, as Najibullah’s uncle performed an Indian raga to bid them farewell—a symbol of the deep cultural bond between the two nations. For Amitabh and the team, Khuda Gawah became more than a film—it was a daring, unforgettable journey woven into cinematic history.
Shooting Amid Chaos and Fear
In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Desai revealed that the team filmed Khuda Gawah during the turbulent period of the Soviet-Afghan War. Despite the breathtaking beauty of the landscape, the backdrop was marked by conflict, and danger lurked in every corner. The decision to shoot there came with immense risk, and naturally, the families of the cast were deeply worried.
Desai recalled the emotional reactions of two protective mothers—Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan—both of whom feared for the safety of their children. Sridevi’s mother was deeply anxious, warning Desai that if any harm came to her daughter, there would be severe consequences.
"She told him, 'Manoj ji, if anything happens to her, don't come back, otherwise I will kill you,'" he recalled.
Similarly, Teji Bachchan, Amitabh’s mother, gave a heartfelt yet stern warning, expressing that any tragedy involving her son would devastate their family. Desai described both these warnings not as threats but as desperate, loving pleas from mothers terrified of losing their children. Fortunately, despite the grave risks, the filming concluded safely, and the entire crew returned unharmed.
"If something happened to Munna (Amitabh) and Jaya wore a white saree, you would also commit suicide, and your wife would wear a white saree.." she told him.
Triumph in India and Beyond
Directed by Mukul Anand with music composed by the legendary duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal, Khuda Gawah was a cinematic triumph. The film collected more than ₹18 crore at the Indian box office — a massive figure for its time — and became an international success as well. In Afghanistan, it was screened to packed theatres for ten consecutive weeks in Kabul, a testament to Amitabh Bachchan’s immense popularity in the region.
The movie emerged as the third highest-grossing film in India, behind 'Beta' and 'Deewana'.
Amitabh’s Nostalgic Recollection of Afghanistan
Years later, in 2013, Amitabh Bachchan reminisced about his time filming in Afghanistan through a heartfelt Facebook post. He wrote about how the nation was then under President Najibullah Ahmadzai, a devoted admirer of Indian cinema, who ensured the Indian film crew was treated with royal hospitality. They were given VVIP treatment, flown across scenic landscapes in armed planes, and hosted by locals who vacated their homes to accommodate them.
Despite visible traces of war—tanks and soldiers filling the streets—the actor remembered it as one of the most memorable experiences of his life. He fondly described a helicopter ride with Danny Denzongpa, Biloo, and Mukul Anand, where the view of poppy fields turning the mountains pink and red left an everlasting impression.
A Farewell Draped in Honor
Before their departure, the Afghan president personally decorated the entire film unit with the “Order of Afghanistan.” The evening was filled with warmth and music, as Najibullah’s uncle performed an Indian raga to bid them farewell—a symbol of the deep cultural bond between the two nations. For Amitabh and the team, Khuda Gawah became more than a film—it was a daring, unforgettable journey woven into cinematic history.
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