Zarina Wahab on starring in Asrani’s directorial Salaam Memsaab, “He had a terrific sense of storytelling”

Not many know that Asrani was not only a versatile actor, but also a director. He cast himself as the leading man in two of his directorials Chala Murari Hero Banne in 1977 and Salaam Memsaab in 1979.

His Salaam Memsaab leading lady Zarina Wahab remembered Asrani with much joy and fondness. “When Asrani ji asked me to do Salaam Memsaab, I quickly jumped in. I think a lot of heroines said no as they considered him a comedian. I think Mehmood saab must have faced a similar situation when he played the leading man. I had no such qualms. I readily said yes, and I didn’t regret my decision for even a second.”

In Salaam Memsaab, Asrani and Zarina played street performers in love. “We shot some of the songs in front of the Taj Hotel in Mumbai. I remember Asrani ji had a very good sense of music. R D Burman gave some good songs in Salaam Memsaab. I especially remember the songs ‘Hum bhi raahon mein khade hain’. It was tough to shoot on location.”

The veteran actress remembers Asrani as a canny director. “He had worked with some of the finest directors of the country, like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Basu Chatterjee, Gulzar. So, he learnt from the best. He had a terrific sense of storytelling. It is wrong to say he turned director to create starring opportunities for himself. He was happy with what he had.”

Also Read: Throwback: When Hrishikesh Mukherjee said that Asrani is his favourite actor of all, “What a talent, what an actor!”

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