Actress-producer Pooja Bhatt and filmmaker Tanuja Chandra met at a cafe on Monday afternoon to celebrate 25 years of the 1998 thriller Dushman, starring Kajol, Sanjay Dutt and Ashutosh Rana.
"I do hope with my entire being that life gives us the privilege of being back on set together. Not only with me producing your film but also someday with you directing me," Pooja wrote alongside a set of photos of her and Tanuja posing together and eating a gluten-free cake and coffee.
Fifty-four-year-old Tanuja, who made her debut as a filmmaker with Dushman, shared the same photos and wrote a long caption. "A debutant Director and a young Producer not letting on how anxious they were on the day Dushman released. Remembering with such fondness, the stalwarts I had the great fortune to work with: Mahesh Bhatt, Anand Bakshi, Lata Mangeshkar, Jagjit Singh, Sachin Bhowmik, veteran editor Waman Bhonsle. Directing wonderful actors like Kajol, my dear friend, Tanvi Azmi, Ashutosh Rana, along with the affectionate Sanjay Dutt and a very young Kunal Kemmu," she wrote.
Kajol, who starred in a double role as twin sisters Sonia and Naina in the film, also shared a note on social media along with a clip from the Lata Mangeshkar and Kumar Sanu song Pyar Ko Ho Jane Do.
"One of the scariest films I have ever said yes to or even watched for that matter. @ashutosh_ramnarayan scared the crap out of me on screen and I’m sure out of all of you guys as well," she wrote.
The psychological thriller saw Ashutosh make his debut in the role of an antagonist, Gokul Pandit, who rapes and murders Sonia. Her twin sister, Naina, sets out to avenge her sister's death with a retired and visually impaired army man, Major Suraj Singh Rathod (Sanjay Dutt) helping her out in her mission.
"A big thanks till today to @poojab1972 (Pooja Bhatt) and @tanuja__chandra (Tanuja Chandra) for making me so comfortable with such an uncomfortable topic. It is still such an uncomfortable film for me to watch," Kajol’s note further read.
Despite being a dud at the box office, the film gained both Ashutosh and Kajol critical acclaim for their acting.
Tanuja went on to direct several films including Sur: The Melody of Life (2002), A Monsoon Date (2018) and Qarib Qarib Singlle (2017) after Dushman.
