'Saif and Rani didn't like each other': Kunal Kohli recalls shooting the 'worst kiss in Hindi cinema' on the sets of 'Hum Tum'

Even after 22 years, 'Hum Tum' continues to be remembered as one of Bollywood’s most loved romantic films, especially for the chemistry between Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji . However, filmmaker Kunal Kohli recently revealed that despite their effortless on-screen connection, the two actors shared “zero camaraderie” off camera during the making of the film.

During a conversation with NDTV, Kunal opened up on how he pushed Rani and Saif to become friendlier with each other, "They were not particularly fond of each other off-screen. For the first half of the shoot it felt like team Rani and me, and Saif alone. Saif and I didn't like each other and Saif and Rani didn't like each other. Then Saif and I spoke throughout the Amsterdam schedule. I said, 'Listen, this film is very important. If it doesn't work, you will not be a solo hero. You'll only be doing second leads to Shah Rukh Khan like in Kal Ho Naa Ho. So let's make this work.'"


He further added, on how Rani firstly denied to do the kissing scene during the film’s song “Saanson Ko Saanson Mein” and ended up laughing during the take, He said, "We were shooting that whole night. At first she said she wouldn't do the kiss. Finally she said, 'Okay, I'll do one take.' If you watch the take she's actually laughing; she's lying on her side and moving because she's laughing. When I saw it in the edit I thought, she's laughing. So yeah, it's got to be one of the worst kisses of Hindi cinema."

'Hum Tum' was inspired by 'When Harry Met Sally....'

'Hum Tum' featured Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in lead roles, alongside Rishi Kapoor, Kirron Kher, Rati Agnihotri , and Jimmy Shergill in pivotal roles. The romantic drama was loosely inspired by the Hollywood classic 'When Harry Met Sally....'

Saif Ali Khan tagged as 'Metrosexual' hero

At the time of filming, Rani Mukerji was already an established Bollywood star, while the film proved to be a major turning point in Saif Ali Khan’s career. His stylish and urban character earned him the tag of Bollywood’s first “metrosexual” hero. Saif’s performance in the film also won him his first National Award for Best Actor, further cementing 'Hum Tum' as a landmark film in his career.