Aditi Rao Hydari has solidified a strong fan base amongst Bollywood buffs with her captivating screen presence in several remarkable films. The actress is celebrating her 38th birthday today, i.e. October 28, 2024. On the special occasion, let’s revisit the special compliment that legendary actress Rekha had given to the birthday girl for her performance in Padmaavat. 

While speaking with Bollywood Life back in 2018, Aditi Rao Hydari reflected on the compliments and praises she had received for her role of Mehrunisa in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat. Without divulging much about what she said, the Heeramandi actress revealed getting a call from the legendary actress Rekha.

She said, “I am not going to tell what she said,” she chuckled, “But she basically said that, ‘Main dil se dua karti hun tumhare liye (I pray for you from the core of my heart).’ Who you are on the inside matches with who you are on the outside.’ I am not going to say the exact words she used. That compliment means the world to me. And she said, ‘You are who you are because of your parents.’ I think that was the most amazing compliment that I got.”

The birthday girl further stated that the biggest compliment for her is the fact that so many people complimented her, stating that their hearts were with her role.

The Masti franchise starring Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani is loved by audiences for its comedy, mischief, and take on friendship. Recently, Milap Zaveri, who will direct the fourth installment in the film, shared that he came up with a story for the film and took it to Indra Kumar, who directed the previous three installments. However, Kumar was working on Dhamaal 4 after Ajay Devgn approved it. So, the lead actor, Riteish, suggested that Zaveri helm it. 

Milap Zaveri co-wrote the second installment in the franchise, Grand Masti, which became a massive hit. In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube channel, the filmmaker shared the story behind how he got on board to direct the film.

Milap shared that two hit films, Dream Girl 2 and Fukrey 3, were released in 2023, and both were super hits at the box office. So, he went to watch the Ayushmann Khurrana starrer and was impressed by it. The director-writer shared he later congratulated the film’s director and called up Indra Kumar and Ritiesh.

He said, “I told them that audiences want to come and laugh and have a great time, and masti is such a great brand, aap masti 4 kyu nahi kar rahe ho?” (Why don’t you make Masti 4?)  So, in response, Indra Kumar said that he didn’t have a plot at hand, Zaveri took responsibility for it and presented them with an impressive idea within a week.

However, a few days later, Kumar called him and the Housefull actor to his office and revealed that he couldn’t direct the film. Recalling the moment, he said, “Indu ji said mujhe Ajay Devgan sir ne Dhamaal 4 ok kar di main woh kar raha hu, then Ritiesh said Indu ji if you are not directing Masti 4 I will only do if Milap directs it.” (I have got a confirmation from Ajay Devgn for Dhamaal 4, so I am directing that then. Ritiesh told him that if he wasn’t directing that film, he would only do it if Milap directed it.) 

As a result, the Satyameva Jayate 2 director who just went to give a story for Masti 4 got the opportunity to direct it. He said he felt honored that Indra Kumar and Ritiesh trusted him with the responsibility for such an important brand. 

However, the lead actor also came up with a condition. Sharing the same, Milap said, ‘The first thing he told me is that it will not be vulgar. You must make a fun, naughty, mad film like the first.” 

Explaining the reason, the filmmaker said that the actor and he have kids who are even friends. So, making a vulgar film would be awkward. Moreover, they want it to have the essence of the first film in the franchise, which was a mad entertainer and genuinely funny film.