How Salman Khan helped Amitabh Bachchan-Tabu’s Cheeni Kum overcome budget issues, R Balki reveals

Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu's film Cheeni Kum was released on May 25, 2007. Directed by R Balki, it is one of the heartwarming films of all time. The movie beautifully depicts the love story of a man in his 60s with a girl in her 30s. In a recent interview, Balki opened up about how the film faced money crunch and was shot with borrowed equipment from Salman Khan’s movie set. 

R Balki’s Cheeni Kum was shot with borrowed equipment from Salman Khan’s movie set

During a recent session with MIT World Peace University, filmmaker R Balki opened up about how tough it was to shoot for Cheeni Kum and revealed it was difficult to produce the film back in 2007. He also revealed that they borrowed a jib from the sets of Salman Khan starred Salaam-E-Ishq which was made on a budget of Rs 60-70 crore.

Also Read: Cheeni Kum clocks 17 years! Here's where to watch Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu’s film on OTT

“We didn’t have money to hire a jib. They were shooting Salaam-e-Ishq in Trafalgar Square and when it was a break there, the jib used to be transported to the Cheeni Kum set without even a focus puller. We had just one camera,” R Balki said.

More About Cheeni Kum

The story of the film revolves around diner Nina Verma (Tabu) and a restaurateur in London Buddhadev Gupta (Amitabh Bachchan) who develop feelings for each other after an early argument over his meal. They eventually fall in love even though Gupta is in his 60s and Nina is in her 30s. They both then face family difficulties as their age difference becomes a problem for everyone. The film also featured Zohra Sehgal, and Swini Khara in important roles and was produced by Sunil Manchanda.

Where to watch Cheeni Kum on OTT?

Helmed R Balki, Cheeni Kum is available for streaming on ZEE5, SonyLIV and LionsgatePlay. You can also stream the film on OTTplay Premium. 

Stay tuned to OTTplay for more on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

Also read: R Balki reveals how a negative review of Cheeni Kum left him in a ‘deep depression’