When Amitabh Bachchan challenged 'Gupt' twist, doubting Kajol as a convincing antagonist

Director Rajiv Rai recently shared that Amitabh Bachchan once expressed strong doubts over the twist ending of his 1997 film Gupt, where Kajol’s character was revealed to be the killer — a decision that was both bold and unconventional for its time.

In a conversation on the Ravi Buleiy Official YouTube channel, Rai recalled a trial screening of the film held in Chennai before its release. Among the attendees was Bachchan, who didn’t hold back his reservations. The next morning, he called Rai directly. “He said, ‘Rajiv, are you convinced with what you have done in this film? You have made Kajol the killer, are you sure? How can you be so sure?’ So in one way, as a senior, he scolded me,” Rai recalled. “Mujhe daant padi. He is a senior, he can obviously scold me,” the director added with a laugh.

Despite the concern, Rai stuck to his vision. “He questioned me, ‘How are you so confident that this will work?’ I told him, ‘Sir, I don’t have an answer for your questions. It is Wednesday already, please wait for 2 days, you will get your answer.’”

When the film released just days later, the gamble paid off. Gupt received both critical acclaim and box office success. Kajol’s performance as the unhinged killer not only shocked audiences but also earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Villain — making her the first female actor to win in that category.

Rai also spoke about his earlier professional relationship with Bachchan, having worked as an assistant director on Trishul and Kaala Patthar, both iconic Amitabh-led films.

He shared that during a difficult phase in Bachchan’s career in the early 90s, he and Anees Bazmee developed a script specifically for him. However, Bachchan turned it down. “He said the phase that I am going through right now, I don’t want to do any films. He was not going through a good phase then,” Rai added.

Looking back, Rai seems to hold the exchange with respect — a reminder that even bold creative choices often face pushback, sometimes from the most legendary voices in the industry.