Zeenat Aman recalls shooting Pukar song in ‘titillating outfit’

Veteran actress Zeenat Aman, famous for posting enchanting tales from yesteryears on Instagram, recently recalled a poignant memory from the filming of the legendary song Samundar Mein Naha Ke alongside Amitabh Bachchan. In her post, she recalled filming in an eye-catching white ensemble as Bachchan joyfully danced nearby. She emphasized the vibrant energy on set, as it signified Bachchan’s comeback to filming following his near-fatal injury during the production of Coolie in 1982.

Aman openly shared that her post was motivated by the sweltering summer temperatures. She nostalgically recalled the 1980s when Goa was not as filled with people, calling the shoot for Ramesh Behl’s Pukar a wonderful experience. She commended the movie’s anti-colonial message, skilled actors, and memorable songs, which had first drawn her to the project. The coastal atmosphere was peaceful, and Aman relished the shooting even though he didn’t need to lip-sync or execute intricate dance moves.

“Uff. I’ll be candid. This is a bit of a gratuitous post brought on by the summer. It’s just so damn hot! The weather I mean. Though I won’t be too coy to say that Mr Bachchan and I romancing to those salty lyrics are quite sizzling too.

Director-producer Ramesh Behl’s Pukar was a blast to shoot. Its anti-colonial underpinning, excellent cast and catchy songs were what drew me to the script. Now Goa, in the early 80s was quiet, idyllic and unpeopled. So Samundar Mein Naha Ke was shot on an empty beach and it was an easy-breezy affair.

For me at least! I didn’t have any lip-syncing to do, nor much choreography to learn. The brief was as basic as they come – look pretty! So there I was in a titillating white outfit, with a bit of midriff on display, rolling around in the surf, while Mr. Bachchan pranced around me like an ardent bird-of-paradise.”

In an honest disclosure, Aman confessed that she was unable to swim, creating a challenge during the filming. Despite her fear and multiple falls in the waves, she felt she effectively represented a ‘jal pari’ or mermaid. She urged her followers to share her post with anyone who deserves a beach vacation this summer.

She added, “My otherwise seamless performance was hindered by one small fact – I can’t swim! I had to swallow a fair amount of nerves (and seawater) for those shots of me writhing in the swash! Despite taking a few tumbles in the waves and being left with sand in uncomfortable places, I thought I did a convincing job of being a jal pari (sic).”