Saira Banu Recalls Breaking Down During Junglee Shoot, Shammi Kapoor Teased 'Should’ve Stayed Home In Burkha'

Saira Banu’s debut film Junglee, which featured her opposite Shammi Kapoor, turned 64 on Friday. On the film’s anniversary, the actress took to Instagram to reflect on her cinematic journey. She shared that stepping before the camera for the first time was both terrifying yet thrillig and reflected on how she broke down on set while shooting in Kashmir. It was her co-star’s playful scolding that sparked a newfound determination in the young actress.Saira Banu Recalls Breaking Down During Junglee Shoot"Fifty-five years ago, a young, wide-eyed girl stood before the camera for the very first time uncertain, nervous, and trembling with both excitement and fear. That girl was me," she reminisced. Saira revealed that she had received multiple offers

from prestigious studios and renowned filmmakers. However, Junglee fell into her lap and went on to mark the beginning of her illustriousIn the comments, she wrote, "Our unit travelled to the breathtaking valleys of Kashmir to the heavenly gardens of Nishat and Shalimar where the song Kashmir Ki Kali Hoon Main was to be picturised. It was my first time facing such large crowds of thousands of tourists watching us shoot. Overwhelmed, I froze and, to my utter embarrassment, burst into tears. Appaji, my dearest Naseem Banu Ji, came running to comfort me, saying gently, 'Beta, let’s go home if it’s too much.'""But then came Shammiji full of playful mischief and magnetic energy who winked at Appaji and teased me, 'If you want to be shy, you should’ve stayed home in a burkha!' That little scolding struck something within me. I wiped my tears, tied my dupatta firmly around my waist, and declared with fire in my voice, 'Main karke dikhaungi!' And I did. The camera rolled again, the music played, and magic happened. That single moment transformed my fear into determination," added the veteran actress.

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Saira also shared other "unforgettable memories" from the sets and said it was Shammi's confidence that gave her courage. "JUNGLEE was not merely my debut… it was my baptism into cinema. A film that gave me wings, taught me courage, and introduced me to the joy of performance. It was the beginning of a journey I hold closest to my heart," she added and expressed graritude to late Subodh Mukherjee and others.