20 Years of Bunty Aur Babli EXCLUSIVE: Shaad Ali on bringing Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan together on screen for the FIRST time: “Amit ji is MASTER of drunk scenes in the WHOLE world; I warned Abhishek, ‘Woh tumhe scene mein kha jaayenge; tujhe failna padega'”

By Fenil Seta -

May 27, 2025 - 6:00 PM IST

The con comedy Bunty Aur Babli (2005) was released 20 years ago, on May 27. The film is significant as it was the first flick where Abhishek Bachchan was cast with his father, mega star Amitabh Bachchan. On Bunty Aur Babli’s 20th anniversary, its director Shaad Ali exclusively told Bollywood Hungama how Big B was signed and the experience of shooting with the father-son duo.

20 Years of Bunty Aur Babli EXCLUSIVE: Shaad Ali on bringing Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan together on screen for the FIRST time: “Amit ji is MASTER of drunk scenes in the WHOLE world; I warned Abhishek, ‘Woh tumhe scene mein kha jaayenge; tujhe failna padega'”

When asked how Amitabh Bachchan got involved, Shaad Ali said, “I entered films as I wanted to work with Amitabh Bachchan. I had apprehensions that if I didn’t write a role for him in this film, then maybe I might not get another chance to work with him. Also, there was a requirement for a cop character. After all, if the couple keeps conning, there has to be someone out there to nab them. We fleshed out his character well – he was comical but also smart and thought like the couple. Aur saath mein purane Bachchan ki jhalak bhi aati hai (smiles).”

Amitabh Bachchan’s cool character was quite appreciated. Shaad Ali revealed, “He was quite involved in designing it. He himself bought the jacket and jeans.”

Bollywood Hungama broke the news earlier in the day that Hrithik Roshan was the first choice to play the role of Bunty. After he exited, Abhishek Bachchan was signed. Shaad Ali explained, “Amit ji was on board before Abhishek was signed. But when Abhishek came on board, we played to the gallery and inserted dialogues like Bunty claiming that he’s from Allahabad or Babli saying ‘Lag toh issi ke rishtedaar ho’.”

How was it shooting with Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan? Shaad Ali stated, “They are more like friends. I used to always warn Abhishek, ‘Amit ji tumhe scene mein kha jaayenge; tujhe failna padega’. This was especially in the scene where they get drunk. After all, Bachchan saab is the master of drunk scenes in the whole world! Abhishek didn’t get nervous and I allowed him to feel like a king. I told him, ‘Yeh teri picture hai. Tu title role kar raha hai’. I knew Amit ji would score a sixer. I wanted Abhishek to score a four.”

He added, “Abhishek was very good in that scene and also the song (‘Kajra Re’). Though it’s a different matter that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan stole the thunder in the song!”

Also Read: 20 Years of Bunty Aur Babli EXCLUSIVE: Shaad Ali shares FASCINATING trivia about ‘Kajra Re’: “Amitabh Bachchan said ‘Mujhe lagta nahin ki yeh hit gaana hoga’; song’s beginning was too long; it later became My Name Is Khan’s ‘Tere Naina'”