30 Years Of Khiladi EXCLUSIVE: “Akshay Kumar threw mineral water on my face from his mouth. So it was okay” – Ayesha Jhulka

By Fenil Seta -

June 10, 2022 - 11:30 AM IST

Abbas-Mustan’s Khiladi completed 30 years on June 5. The comic-thriller boasted of a great script, direction and performances. Every actor gave their best, including Ayesha Jhulka. This was a dream role for any actress and Ayesha nailed the part. Her comic timing in the song ‘Khud Ko Kya Samajti Hai’ still gets millions of views online and is remembered fondly by moviegoers.

30 Years Of Khiladi EXCLUSIVE: “Akshay Kumar threw mineral water on my face from his mouth. So it was okay” – Ayesha Jhulka

On Khiladi’s 30th anniversary, Ayesha Jhulka spoke exclusively to Bollywood Hungama about her role, her memories with costars while filming among several other topics.

How did you bag the role? Did you have to audition?
No, I didn’t audition. The makers approached me for this film. In fact, I was one of the first people who was signed for Khiladi. I had already signed Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992) and Kurbaan (1991) by then. Also, Khiladi was based on an interesting idea. This is how I came on board.

Khiladi was a rare suspense-thriller at that time. Was that a worry?
Honestly, I never used to think about all these things! I used to just go on my instinct and give my best while working on the film. Hence, I didn’t do a lot of calculations.

As per the details on the internet, you were shooting for Balmaa (1992) as well as the song ‘Dekha Teri Masti’ at the same time. It must have been tough…
Yes, I was shooting for 2 songs during those 8 days and 8 nights. It was indeed tough, and it was not easy to adjust. So, I was shooting with Chinni Prakash ji on the Khiladi song and shooting with Tarun Kumar for the Balmaa song. After the first 2 days, it was terrible to shoot both the songs.

I believe Chinni Prakash advised you to drink milk and Thums Up and wash your face with soda to look fresh!
Yes, he did. There was no Red Bull in those days (smiles)!

In the song, ‘Kya Khabar Thi Jaana’, Akshay Kumar sprayed water on you from his mouth. Were you apprehensive about doing the shot?
Well, it was mineral water thrown on my face. So, it was okay (laughs)! But that was the concept designed by Chinni ji. Also, we were over-dedicated artists. We used to abide by whatever we were told to do.

How was it working with Akshay Kumar?
It was fantastic. He was relatively new. It was because he was so hard-working, sincere, punctual and good at his work that he has managed to last this long. He used to really have a lot of fun. We were pretty young and enthusiastic back then. I remember on the sets of Khiladi, we had Johnny Lever who would make us laugh while we were waiting for our shots. Hence, it was great fun.

Deepak Tijori was also a part of the cast. I guess there was a familiarity as he was also a part of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar…
Yes. It was great fun working with him as well though in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, I didn’t have too many scenes together. But in Khiladi, that was not the case.

Did you go to the cinema halls to check the audience reaction?
Oh yes! Me, Abbas-Mustan and producer Ratan Jain – we all used to go together. We have seen the films so many times in the theatre just to see the reactions. The response was fantastic. One reaction I can never forget is when I am hiding in the cupboard in the climax. Ananth Mahadevan comes from behind to attack me. Everyone in the theatre would shout ‘Look back! Look back’! And when Ananth Mahadevan is revealed as the killer, people were screaming in the theatre! It was a great high as it was one of the few films wherein people were getting absolutely hooked. Like how in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, the audiences were on the edge of their seats. The same happened in Khiladi well.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar was released on May 22. Just 2 weeks later, Khiladi hit cinemas. To have 2 successful films in cinemas at the same time must have been an overwhelming feeling…
It was. And there was one week when in Gaiety-Galaxy-Gemini, three of my films – Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Kurbaan and Khiladi – all were playing at the same time! I can never forget that week as it was quite overwhelming.

Also Read: 30 Years Of Khiladi EXCLUSIVE: “There was no buyer for our film. We released it ourselves. We also spent on print and publicity from our own pockets” – Ratan Jain