I keep hearing Aakhree Pasta thanks to Chunky Pandey's unfunny antics but its really Aakhree Raasta, - which had its 40th anniversary earlier this year.
Above, rare photos taken on the sets of the film; Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan.
Released on 6 June 1986, the film was a slow start... but is counted as one of Amitabh Bachchan’s hits. If you look at the press around then, when the infamous media ban was going on, the press seemed to be reluctant to declare a Bachchan film a hit. Well, time proved, that it was a hit. Directed by filmmaker K. Bhagyaraj, the Hindi vigilante drama is a remake of the 1985 Tamil film Oru Kaidhiyin Diary, which Bhagyaraj scripted and which was originally directed by Bharathiraja starring Kamal Haasan.
The production faced unique challenges due to the language barrier; the original screenplay was translated into Hindi, but Bhagyaraj did not speak the language. Legend has it that every morning, Bachchan reviewed the script and asked the director to deliver dialogues in Tamil to verify emotional accuracy. Bhagyaraj would dramatically emote entire scenes for the cast’s benefit. On the first day of shooting, Bachchan tested the director by asking him to narrate a full scene; impressed by Bhagyaraj’s preparedness, the superstar proceeded confidently with the movie.
Amitabh Bachchan played yet another double role as father David D’Costa and son Inspector Vijay. Notable casting curiosities include Jaya Prada portraying his mother despite being about 20 years younger than Big B, and Anupam Kher (his foster father) being over a decade younger than him. This marked Bachchan and Kher’s first collaboration.
A memorable graveyard confrontation scene sparked debate. Bachchan worried a long English dialogue would alienate audiences, but Bhagyaraj insisted the intensity would transcend language. The scene became one of the film’s most cheered moments. During filming in extreme heat, Kher learned resilience from Bachchan, who remained unfazed.
Sridevi, playing Vijay’s girlfriend Vinita Bhatnagar, joined the project rather reluctantly and for new fans looking back at the film, its a surprise - she sounds so different and her role is so inconsequential. As she was still mastering Hindi at the time, her voice was dubbed by the one and only Rekha - a top star at that time who didn't need to take the gig!
Even though both Jaya Prada and Sridevi were in the film - they appear in no scenes together; which worked out fine considering their complicated history and fractured relationship.
Sridevi said later, "I did Aakhree Raasta only because I had already signed the producers other film Khabardaar, which got shelved. I did not back out because of my good relations with the team. In Aaakhree Raasta I had a small role but there was also Jaya Pradha. It would have made no difference if I was in the film or not. Today I would never accept such an offer even if it had Amitabh Bachchan in it. It's not that I become too big to do such films. I wouldn't mind doing a small role, as long as I'm the only heroine in the film!"
Well, Sridevi stuck to her guns and didn't work with Big B again for years until the double-role offer of Khuda Gawah.
Often hailed as Bachchan’s last major release before his late-80s hiatus as he segued into politics, Aakhree Raasta delivered strong box-office returns (especially in South India and Maharashtra) and earned some acclaim for its gripping revenge drama and emotional depth.
It remains a fan favourite for its raw intensity and memorable climax, but upon recent re-watch... it is not a Top Ten Big B film. Not even Top 25!
Amitabh Bachchan has consistently bettered himself in film after film, role after role. There's a reason why he's often touted as the greatest Indian superstar of all-time. An actor of note, there seems to be no limitation to his prowess... he's the celebrity of celebrities. He's the touchstone of so many actors... what can we say of 'everlasting light'... that hasn't been said before. A fan then, now and forever. As we are of Sri!
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