Director Umesh Mehra Recalls Food Challenges Faced by Sunny Deol and Hema Malini During Shoots in Russia
Filmmaker Umesh Mehra has shared anecdotes about the logistical and dietary challenges faced by Indian cast and crew members while shooting classic Indo-Russian co-productions in Russia. In an interview on DD Urdu’s chat show Guftgoo with host Kiran Juneja, the director discussed the production of films such as Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980) and Sohni Mahiwal (1984).
What Happened
During the conversation, Umesh Mehra highlighted that food was a significant hurdle for Indian film units working abroad. In Russia’s freezing climate, meals cooled down rapidly before they could be consumed. Mehra explained that the local diet primarily consisted of bread, meat, and cheese, while the crew initially relied on fried eggs and bread. The unit eventually addressed the issue by flying in a dedicated cook from India.
The filmmaker also recounted specific experiences of vegetarian actors working on the projects. Sunny Deol, who headlined the 1984 film Sohni Mahiwal, faced limited dietary options as a vegetarian. According to Mehra, Deol managed his diet by consuming only fruit, bread, butter, and milk, navigating the shoot without lodging complaints.
In another incident from the filming of Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, actress Hema Malini, who is also a strict vegetarian, ordered soup at a hotel restaurant after asking the staff to ensure it contained no meat. Upon discovering a small piece of meat in her bowl, she questioned the waiter, who explained that the kitchen had tried to remove all meat pieces from the prepared broth. Mehra noted that the misunderstanding arose because the concept of vegetarian cooking was largely unfamiliar in the region at the time.
Key Highlights
- Filmmaker Umesh Mehra discussed Indo-Russian co-productions Alibaba Aur 40 Chor and Sohni Mahiwal on DD Urdu’s Guftgoo.
- Extreme weather made hot meals difficult to sustain, prompting the production to bring a cook from India.
- Sunny Deol maintained a limited vegetarian diet of fruit, bread, butter, and milk while filming Sohni Mahiwal.
- Hema Malini experienced a cultural misunderstanding regarding vegetarian preparation at a restaurant during the Alibaba Aur 40 Chor shoot.
Why This Matters
The director’s recollections illustrate the logistical and cultural hurdles encountered during early cross-border cinematic collaborations, particularly regarding basic daily requirements such as diet and meal preparation.
What to Watch Next
Further retrospective conversations and archival discussions on historic Indo-Russian film collaborations may offer additional context on international filmmaking practices of that era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which films did Umesh Mehra discuss regarding shoots in Russia?
Umesh Mehra discussed the Indo-Russian co-productions Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980) and Sohni Mahiwal (1984).
How did Sunny Deol manage his meals while filming Sohni Mahiwal?
As a vegetarian working in an area with limited meatless options, Sunny Deol relied on a diet consisting solely of fruit, bread, butter, and milk.
How did the production unit address the food difficulties in Russia?
To overcome the cold weather and dietary differences, the production team began flying in their own cook from India.
Source: Bollywood Hungama via DD Urdu’s Guftgoo interview.