34 years of Bhagwaan Dada: Sridevi's first film with Hrithik Roshan!

With superstars Rajinikanth and Sridevi, Rakesh Roshan produced and starred in this film that was released on 25th April, 1986. 

TBH the movie was no great shakes at the box-office but many are rediscovering the film as current gen sensation Hrithik Roshan had a major role as a child star in the film. Twitter reminded us that it's the movie's 34th anniversary.  It has a few scenes were Sridevi excels....

Rakesh Roshan found great success as director and producer in later films, but this isn't a noteworthy note in his esteemed career. 

We have an entire archive of images and features related to the film here.

PS: It's not a great film in any measure - instead we highly, highly recommend Jaag Utha Insaan. 

Sridevi on the sets of Bhagwaan Daada with Rakesh Roshan

Sridevi on the sets of Bhagwaan Daada with the film's producer, director and co-star Rakesh Roshan. They had the cutest comedic scenes together in the film. 

Rakesh Roshan had triple duty in the film, as producer, actor and director. Originally, the film was directed by Rakesh Roshan's father-in-law J. Om Prakash, but soon after the film started production, J. Om Prakash fell ill and Rakesh Roshan had to direct portions to complete the film on time. It ended up being a trial by fire as Rakesh learned hard and fast on the job - and went on to become a wildly successful director and film producer. In fact, his success as producer and director far exceeds his career as a leading man in the 70s and 80s. 

Released 25 April 1986. 

click to enlarge

Above: Rare stills of actor, producer, director Rakesh Roshan with Sridevi

Sridevi with Hrithik Roshan, Tina Munim (Ambani!), Rakesh Roshan, Rajinikanth in Bhagwaan Dada (1986)

We have mixed opinions about the film Bhagwan Dada. 

It fared well enough to recover costs at the box-office, but was no blockbuster. It wasn't particularly liked by the critics and Sridevi professed she did not like acting as a street-walker in the film in one of her interviews, a rare glimpse into her career choices. 

She did however like working with the cast and crew, Rakesh Roshan (who she previously worked with in Jaag Utha Insaan), her frequent co-star Rajinikanth and "the cute little bright and blue-eyed boy" who went on to become...  superstar Hrithik Roshan! 

Upon recent re-watching of the film, Sridevi definitely has her moments on screen - and the Aasha Bhosle song Pyar mein, is lovely.... but.. .but... its just an OK film. 

Bhagwaan Dada wasn't a megahit but makes the first on-screen full fledged role and appearance of young Hrithik Roshan hence it'll always be a note in the history of Hindi cinema - as rarely has the film industry seen such a meteoric arrival of an actor like him. 

Not only did Hrithik get to act with southern superstars Sridevi and Rajinikanth, he got to shake a leg with his favourite actress, Sridevi.

When Sridevi passed away, he commented on how she took care of him during his first few days on set, pretending to be as nervous as him to make him at ease. Bless. 

Don't think we'll ever see a phenomenon like Sridevi in this world - or the next. 

Suresh Bhatt choreographed the dances in the film. 

Released on 25 April, 1986, Sridevi was 22 when she shot the film.  

Above: Poster of Bhagwaan Dada with Rakesh Roshan, Sridevi and Tina Munim (now Tina Ambani)