While actress Bhagyashree’s role opposite Salman Khan in the iconic film ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ remains etched in the annals of Bollywood history, it seems her daughter Avantika Dassani had quite a different experience with the film. Now making her own mark with the new season of her web series ‘Mithya,’ Avantika Dassani opened up about her unique perspective on her mother’s cinematic journey in ‘Maine Pyar Kiya,’ shedding light on her experiences and reflections as the daughter of a Bollywood veteran.
In an exclusive conversation with mid-day.com, Avantika candidly shared her thoughts on her mother’s blockbuster debut, a film that skyrocketed both her mother and Salman Khan to fame. Having watched the movie when she was in school, Avantika admitted she struggled with viewing it entirely, endeavoring to come to terms with its portrayal of her mother, who she saw through a very different lens growing up. “Watching ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ wasn’t like watching any other movie for me,” Avantika said, “I couldn’t really comprehend seeing my mother sad or in distress, no matter how fictional.”
The film’s gripping emotional scenes presented a conundrum for a young Avantika, who found it troubling to see her mother Bhagyashree enact dramatic on-screen situations. “My mother’s emotional scenes were particularly tough to watch. When you’re a child and you know your father is very much at home, it’s bewildering — that’s not him on the screen with her,” Avantika laughed, as she recounted her childhood impressions.
Despite the personal confusion the film once caused her, Avantika articulated the entertainment value and monumental impact ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ continues to hold for its millions of fans worldwide. She acknowledged the film as a milestone in her mother’s career, one that has become interwoven with fond memories shared by countless fans. “It’s fascinating,” Avantika noted, “People from different walks of life come to me and share their ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ stories. They talk about watching it multiple times, dancing to its songs, and collecting memorabilia. It’s amazing to see how deeply rooted the film is in people’s lives.”
This legacy of cinematic love and admiration has often followed the family on vacations, as Avantika recounted, recalling instances when her mother was approached by throngs of admirers eager for a fleeting moment, a photograph, or an autograph.
. Nevertheless, the admiration that amassed around Bhagyashree over the years also came with amusing personal anecdotes.
Avantika fondly remembered a childhood story shared within the family, a memorable experience on one of her mother’s film sets. During an intense scene where Bhagyashree’s character was being confronted by a villain, little Avantika unknowingly interrupted the shoot. “I have been told about this. Supposedly, there’s this one scene when someone was fighting with her and threw her to the ground. Not understanding it was all make-believe, I rushed into the frame and started hitting this tall guy, shouting ‘Meri mummy ko chor do’ (Let go of my mother).”
Reflecting on these experiences, Avantika Dassani conveyed her deep respect for the profession her mother has excelled in while striking humor and seriousness in her anecdotes. This interplay of reels and real-life scenarios has given her a distinctive appreciation for the art of cinema, as well as the numerous cherished stories that come with a life surrounded by fame.
Today, as Avantika continues crafting her path in the entertainment industry, her mother’s legacy stands as a touchstone. Yet she steps forward with a sense of individuality and the courage to create her own unique narrative within the cinematic world. Her remarks articulate both the peculiar dissonance and the eventual pride she feels. “You adjust to it. It’s not problematic, just one of those moments you ponder over briefly but swiftly move past,” she reflected.
Avantika’s story illustrates the deeply personal side of fame, where behind celebrated performances lie families adjusting to the rarified air of cinema’s impactful universe. Through her experiences and reflections, Avantika Dassani pays homage to her mother’s unforgettable contributions to Indian cinema, all while writing her own story in a world that’s both familiar and new.
