Madhuri, Vidya stunningly enact Ami je tomar 3.0 on stage

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The song, Ami je tomar, now cult with its OG version created for Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), was originally composed by Pritam, written by Sameer Anjaan (both of whom were not even mentioned!) and rendered by Shreya Ghoshal with M.G. Sreekumar. Filmed on Vidya Balan as Monjulika, the half-Bengali chartbuster was also heard in the sequel, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) in the voices of Shreya and Arijit Singh.

The cult classic, which first line mean “I am yours,” is now back in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, rendered again by Shreya Ghoshal. But the song is now re-imagined (keeping the core intact) by Amaal Mallik. Shot by Manu Prakash (who was present at the event) on a massive set erected by the late Rajat Poddar and choreographed by Chinni Prakash, the new version, Ami je tomar 3.0, is a face-off between Vidya Balan (who returns as Monjulika) and Madhuri Dixit-Nene, who also enters as a second Monjulika.

The event was held at the vintage Royal Opera House, a venue built in 1911 that has seen several operas and plays before it was converted post-Independence into a movie theatre that exhibited blockbusters like Do Raaste, Aa Gale Lag Jaa, Kora Kagaz, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan and Amar Akbar Anthony, and closed down in 1991.

Though the song-launch began a record 150 minutes late, it was lots of fun and was graced by the two iconic actresses, Kartik Aaryan, who reprises his turn as Rooh Baba, writer-director Anees Bazmee, producer Bhushan Kumar and Shiv Chanana, co-producer at T-Series. The ever-humble Anees Bazmee spoke so well about his team and their love and passion for the subject.

Bhushan Kumar let the cat out of the bag and stated that Vidya had been approached also for the second (2022) film but had turned it down! Vidya later revealed that she was afraid that things could go wrong in the second film, but after watching it, she had regretted her decision. And so, when the chance came to do the third film, she jumped at it, especially since she loved the script and there was a dream co-star like Madhuri in it!

Madhuri, in turn, stated that a great actress like Vidya “makes you do better, pushes you to do better.” Vidya laughingly stated that enacting the song with a particular menacing look aimed at her female co-star was difficult for her: “I was wondering that if I am throwing attitude, it is to whom? Someone of the level of Madhuri! And Madhuri says she is a dancer, but to me, Madhuri is DANCE!! But what is great about Madhuri ma’am is that she’s so generous! She realized that all this was a big deal for me. And it was, because to be in the same frame with her and to move with her was a dream-come-true! My sister told me just today that ‘You wanted to be like her! But today you are dancing with her!’ That is such a big achievement for me!”

As always, the event was a rave-fest about each other, and Kartik also going gaga over his female co-stars and the director mentioning that Kartik actually wanted to come and watch them shooting this iconic number, which was shot over five days, even though he was not a part of the shoot!

In the Q&A round, therefore, I asked both the actresses what they thought about Kartik and Vidya (who was in form all through on stage) asked Madhuri, “Should I go first or will you?”

Vidya then spoke about Kartik’s charm as well as his dedication to work, stating that he dreamt big, but she would wonder when he took out time to sleep as he was involved in every aspect of the making of the film. Madhuri added that she endorsed all that Vidya said but felt that Kartik dreamt of big things with his eyes open! And Kartik quipped to me, “That was a nice question, sir! Thank you for asking!”

Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar, Rajesh Sharma, Manish Wadhwa, Rose Sardana and Kanchan Mullick co-star in the film that is due for release on November 1.