30 Years of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar EXCLUSIVE: “Pooja Bedi forgot to hold down the dress and it flew over her head. That was the first time we realized what a thong is” – Farah Khan

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By Fenil Seta -

May 24, 2022 - 4:30 PM IST

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar completed 30 years on May 22. While the film is remembered for its plot, direction, sports element, songs and thrill, it was also significant as it marked the debut of choreographer Farah Khan in Bollywood.

30 Years of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar EXCLUSIVE: “Pooja Bedi forgot to hold down the dress and it flew over her head. That was the first time we realized what a thong is” – Farah Khan

On the film’s 30th anniversary, Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to Farah Khan as she went down memory lane.

It’s common knowledge that Saroj Khan was the choreographer initially and Farah stepped in after the former had to leave the film. Farah Khan said, “I was the 4th assistant. I used to give the clap and keep a track of the continuity. Saroj ji was the choreographer.”

Was Farah Khan in shock when she realized that she was going to choreograph the songs? To which, she explained, “No, I wasn’t. I was ready for it at that time. I remember very clearly that Saroj ji was choreographing ‘Yahaan Ke Hum Sikandar’. Her way was very different from what the film was. I mean, there’s no doubt that she was an exceptionally great choreographer. However, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar required a little less filmy way of choreography. This is because it was not a typical filmy movie. ‘Pehla Nasha’ was also being filmed in a filmy way.”

She continued, “At one point, I was observing them and writing continuity. And very clearly I got this realization that ‘I can do this’.”

Farah Khan stated, “Hence when I got this chance, I was thrilled. I wasn’t nervous at all. I had a hundred ideas. I sat with Mansoor (director Mansoor Khan) the next day. For ‘Pehla Nasha’, I gave the idea that it’s his (Aamir Khan’s) frame of mind and nobody’s reacting to it. Hence, he’s singing and everybody else is busy with their own work. So, you see, I gave all these ideas. I guess when you are new, you are a bit overconfident. However, Mansoor held my hand. I am extremely grateful because I wouldn’t have come into this field if he hadn’t given me the chance, even though it was by chance! I believe that destiny will take you where you’re supposed to go and at that time, you should be prepared to do that job.”

Farah Khan has revealed in the past that even Aamir Khan gave her a helping hand. She quipped, “Aamir insisted on calling me ‘Masterniji’ (laughs). But he was very helpful. He used to sit down and teach me the camera axis, the invisible line etc. I was learning on the job and never once did he say that he’ll not help. In fact, he used to pull my leg a lot and still, he’ll do whatever was expected of him.”

The song ‘Pehla Nasha’ became a rage not just due to the melody but for the choreography. Aamir Khan’s jump has become unforgettable. To which Farah Khan remarked, “It was just a jump. Now, it has become an iconic pose. We saw that milestone and decided to shoot there. It was very difficult to shoot at that time. There were neither monitors nor mics.”

As for Pooja Bedi’s flying skirt, was it her idea? Farah Khan revealed, “Yes. I told her that she should do the Marilyn Monroe pose. We actually made that dress for her. I had told her, ‘I hope you are wearing shorts inside’. She replied, ‘No, why do I need to wear shorts? It’ll look so bad’. She stood on the car. There was a spot boy below operating the storm fan. She forgot to hold down the dress and it flew over her head. That was the first time we realized what a thong is (laughs).”

What happened to the spot boy? “He fainted. I believe he has not come out of the car yet,” said Farah Khan in jest.

When asked how much she got paid for the film, she admitted that “The pay was very rubbish. For Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, I got paid nothing!”

This is quite surprising as, in an interview, she had mentioned, “When I went as an assistant to shoot the film in Ooty, I travelled with the other assistants and spot boys in a third-class compartment. But when I returned, having choreographed for the film, I came by flight.”

To which Farah Khan replied, “Well, I paid for that flight. I was a choreographer. I couldn’t come back by train na (laughs)! I remember I shelled out Rs. 1000 for the flight ticket.”