By News18,Parishmita Saikia

Copyright news18

It is often said that the friendlier the atmosphere between a film’s lead actors, the better their on-screen chemistry. However, numerous actors have proven this notion wrong. Despite personal disputes or strained relationships off-screen, several lead pairs have delivered exceptional performances, so convincing, in fact, that audiences remained unaware of any real-life tension.
Some of Bollywood’s most successful films featured stars who had stopped speaking to one another altogether, yet their films triumphed at the box office. Notable examples include Mohra, Dilwale, Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Jab We Met, and Ishq.
Many will recognise the songs Solah Baras Ki Baali Umar Ko Salaam and Hum Bane Tum Bane Ek Duuje Ke Liye, melodies that still bring a sense of calm. There’s a saying that first love often blossoms at sixteen, but in most cases, it remains unfulfilled. Released on June 5, 1981, Ek Duuje Ke Liye explored this very emotion. The tragic love story of Vasu and Sapna also began a trend in Bollywood where the lead pair doesn’t end up together.
Directed by K. Balachander, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and produced by L.V. Prasad, the film marked the Hindi cinema debut of Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri, both already well known in Tamil and Telugu cinema. The film also featured Mandavi. Made on a budget of Rs 70 lakh, it grossed Rs 5.5 crore in India and Rs 10 crore worldwide, making it a major box office success and the 6th highest-grossing film of 1981. Interestingly, Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri had no personal interaction during filming, despite portraying a deeply emotional romance. They worked once more in Dekha Pyar Tumhara (1985), which flopped. They never collaborated again.
Fast forward to 1994, two romantic action films, Mohra and Dilwale, set the box office alight. Both films were celebrated for their music and powerful performances. Ironically, the on-screen chemistry in these films masked underlying tension between the leads.
Mohra, directed by Rajiv Rai with music by Viju Shah, featured the popular song Na Kajre Ki Dhar, Na Moti Ki Haar. Actress Poonam Jhawer revealed in an interview that she and co-star Suneil Shetty had a falling out during the shoot and never spoke again after the film’s release.
In the same year, Dilwale, starring Sunil Shetty, Ajay Devgn, and Raveena Tandon, became a hit. With music by Nadeem–Shravan, every track was a chartbuster. Despite the film’s success, reports emerged that Raveena Tandoon and Ajay Devgn had a disagreement during filming, supposedly due to Ajay Devgn’s growing closeness to Karisma Kapoor, which led to personal tensions. Raveena Tandon and Ajay Devgn never worked together again.
In 1997, director Indra Kumar, known for hits like Beta and Dil, released Ishq, now considered a cult classic. The ensemble cast included Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla, Ajay Devgn, and Kajol, alongside veteran actors like Sadashiv Amrapurkar. Despite its massive box office success, Ishq marked the end of a professional relationship between Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla. During filming, a rift emerged between the two. Though Juhi Chawla attempted to mend ties, Aamir Khan distanced himself, and they didn’t speak for seven years, nor did they work together again. The film was the third-highest grosser of 1997, earning Rs 45 crore globally.
Then came Jab We Met in 2007, directed by Imtiaz Ali. The film is now a modern classic, praised for its refreshing storytelling and strong performances by Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Ironically, the couple broke up during the filming process and reportedly couldn’t stand each other. Yet, their chemistry on screen remained electric, and the film was a commercial and critical success.
These examples prove that, in cinema, professionalism often trumps personal feelings. Even when actors don’t see eye to eye off-screen, their commitment to the craft can still deliver unforgettable performances on it.