Sushmita Sen’s Challenging Experience on Chingaari

Sushmita Sen has long been celebrated for her compelling performances, yet the 2006 film Chingaari became notorious not just for its contentious on-set incidents but also for the personal hurdles faced by its lead actress. A notable moment occurred when Sushmita reportedly left the set in a huff after filming an intimate scene with co-star Mithun Chakraborty, alleging inappropriate conduct. Although the issue was later addressed, it contributed to the growing tensions and controversies surrounding the film’s production.

Tensions with Mithun Chakraborty

In various interviews, director Kalpana Lajmi candidly acknowledged the high tensions between the lead actors of Chingaari. She indicated that veteran actor Mithun was taken aback by Sushmita’s commanding performance, which led to palpable friction between them. Kalpana also mentioned that she often bore the brunt of Mithun’s frustrations during the shoot.

There were also unverified reports suggesting that Sushmita walked off the set after a particularly intense scene with Chakraborty. Allegedly, she felt uncomfortable with how the scene unfolded and became emotional, even discussing her feelings with director Kalpana Lajmi. The director reportedly reassured her that it was a misunderstanding. Sources later claimed that Sushmita reconsidered her reaction, felt she may have overreacted, and resolved the matter privately with her co-star. However, none of the involved parties have publicly confirmed this incident.

Kalpana frequently expressed her admiration for Mithun during discussions about Chingaari. However, what began as a promising collaboration quickly soured, with the director recounting the numerous challenges she faced while working with him. Instead of a fulfilling creative experience, their professional relationship became one of the more difficult chapters in her filmmaking journey.

Emotionally Taxing Experience for Sushmita

Beyond the controversies, portraying Basanti in Chingaari was an emotionally draining experience for Sushmita Sen. She shared with Hindustan Times how profoundly the role impacted her, even after filming concluded. Playing a sex worker took a toll on her mental well-being—she admitted that despite knowing it was merely acting, the intensity of the character often blurred the lines between fiction and reality, leaving her feeling unsettled and emotionally exhausted.

Fallout with Co-star Anuj Sawhney

Another early controversy surrounding Chingaari involved Sushmita and newcomer Anuj Sawhney, who portrayed a postman in love with her character. During the film’s promotional phase, Anuj reportedly boasted about an on-screen kiss with Sushmita, claiming it took 36 retakes to perfect. His comments did not sit well with Sushmita, who was so upset that she chose to withdraw from promoting the film entirely. Kalpana later expressed that this controversy cost them two crucial months of publicity, as the film heavily relied on Sushmita’s star power.

Two months after the incident, Anuj issued an apology, which Kalpana viewed as an acknowledgment of his mistake. While she empathized with Sushmita’s reaction as a woman, she admitted feeling disappointed as the film’s director. Sushmita eventually forgave Anuj but clarified in an interview with Hindustan Times that she was deeply hurt by how the film was being marketed. She believed that emphasizing a kiss scene overshadowed the significant social message that Chingaari aimed to convey.