Anjaam’s 32nd Anniversary: Rumy Jafry’s Creative Insights

The classic Bollywood thriller, Anjaam, starring Madhuri Dixit Nene, Shah Rukh Khan, and Deepak Tijori, marks its 32nd anniversary. In an exclusive interview, veteran writer and filmmaker Rumy Jafry, who penned the film's dialogues, offers a glimpse into the creative process and shares his admiration for the cast.

Jafry reveals an intriguing technique he employed while writing for Madhuri's character, Shivani Chopra. He imagined the legendary Amitabh Bachchan in her scenes, writing the lines with Bachchan's persona in mind and then adapting them for Madhuri's character. This approach showcases Jafry's creative genius and his ability to draw inspiration from the greats.

Furthermore, Jafry expresses his belief that Madhuri's performance in Anjaam deserved recognition over her award-winning role in Hum Aapke Hain Koun…! He highlights the power of her performance, which, in his opinion, transcended the film's commercial success.

When it came to Shah Rukh Khan's character, Vijay Agnihotri, Jafry had a unique perspective. He didn't view Khan as a typical villain but as a negative character driven by love. This nuanced interpretation allowed Jafry to write dialogues that added depth to the character, making him more than just a one-dimensional antagonist.

Jafry also reminisces about his experience working with Shah Rukh Khan, praising his cultured and educated demeanor. He highlights their shared background in theatre and the friendship that blossomed during the making of Anjaam. Jafry's insights provide a deeper understanding of the film's creative process and the relationships that developed behind the scenes.

The film's violence, particularly in the second half, was a topic of discussion. Jafry recalls the criticism it received, as it was ahead of its time. He shares how his family and friends were surprised by his ability to write such intense scenes, given his light-hearted nature. To balance this, Jafry went on to write comedies like Waqt Humara Hai, drawing inspiration from Dilip Kumar's career choices.