Zeenat Aman was not the first choice for 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna', SD Burman warned Dev Anand, called the script 'disgusting' due to THIS

'Hare Rama Hare Krishna' is considered one of Zeenat Aman's most iconic movies, especially the song 'Dum Maaro Dum' is a remembered vividly over the years. But did you know that she was not the first choice for the film. According to Dev Anand’s close friend Mohan Churiwala, actress Zaheeda was initially considered for the part. At the time, she was reportedly romantically involved with Dev Anand but ultimately chose to step away from the project as she was uncomfortable playing his sister on screen. Mohan recently shared this lesser-known detail in a recent conversation.

Mohan also revealed a fascinating behind-the-scenes story about the film’s music. The legendary S.D. Burman was originally approached to compose the soundtrack. However, after listening to the film’s first narration, he strongly objected to the concept. Recalling Dev Anand’s own words, Mohan said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani, “This is a very interesting anecdote that Dev Saab used to tell laughingly. He always had a knack for picking bold subjects, and whenever he planned a film, he first narrated the story to Burman Dada so that the music could be composed accordingly. When he narrated the original story, which was about Dev Saab’s character searching for his sister but eventually falling in love with a girl and deciding to marry her, only to discover she was his sister all along, SD Burman was shocked.”



Describing Burman’s reaction, Mohan added, “When Burman Dada heard the story, he stood up and said, ‘Don’t make this film, this is a disgusting story. What is wrong with you to plan such a story?’” Realising the subject might be too extreme, Dev Anand revised the narrative by introducing another character to ensure there was no inappropriate relationship. Even then, SD Burman refused to come on board, firmly stating, “‘You don’t make this film. I don’t want to do it, and you shouldn’t either.’ Yet Dev Saab was determined to make it.”

Eventually, once the story began focusing more on the decline and disillusionment of the hippie movement, SD Burman felt the film needed a younger musical sensibility and suggested Dev Anand collaborate with his son. As Mohan recalled, “This is a modern film, and it needs a modern tune. For this, Pancham (RD Burman) will be better for you.”

Mohan also spoke about the challenges faced during the shoot at the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal, a site that traditionally allows entry only to Hindus. Despite this restriction, Dev Anand managed to secure special permission for his team, which included three Muslim artistes—Zeenat Aman, Mumtaz, and cinematographer Fali Mistry. Sharing the incident, Mohan said, “There was a board at the temple that said, ‘No admission to any caste or creed except Hindus.’ But in Dev Saab’s film, three Muslims, Zeenat Aman, Mumtaz, and Fali Mistry, were part of the shoot.” He added that the crucial wedding scene involving Mumtaz was filmed there after King Mahendra himself intervened. “The temple was closed for the occasion, and we were allowed to shoot. Who can do that now?”

In the same conversation, Mohan also recounted a touching moment involving Raj Kapoor, who deeply admired Dev Anand’s work. After watching Guide, Raj Kapoor reportedly made an emotional early-morning call to Dev Anand. “At around 6 a.m., after finishing the film, Raj Kapoor reportedly called Dev Anand, praising both the film and Vijay Anand. He said, ‘You are so lucky to have such a talented brother.’ He was crying on the phone.”