EP-315 | Poonam Dhillon on Rajesh Khanna, Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor, Yash Chopra, Vanity Vans & Politics

Poonam Dhillon, a timeless icon of Indian cinema, began her journey as a model and rose to fame after being crowned second runner-up at Miss India 1977. She debuted at 16 with the blockbuster Trishul, and later went on to act in popular movies like Noorie, Red Rose, and Teri Kasam, she shared the screen with legends such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, and Rishi Kapoor, becoming a beloved figure in Bollywood’s golden era.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Poonam Dhillon takes us through her remarkable career, from her accidental entry into films to navigating the industry’s challenges as a young actress. She shares nostalgic anecdotes about shooting 'Trishul' with Amitabh Bachchan, her bond with co-stars like Farooq Sheikh. She also started the idea of vanity vans with her company, Vanity. Poonam opens up about her personal life, including her early marriage, raising her kids, and balancing work and family.

She also discusses her role as president of CINTAA, where she fights for better pay for small-time actors, and her time with the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. Poonam shares her brief stint in politics with the BJP in 2004 and her work with NGOs for causes like organ donation. With warmth, she talks about her love for theatre and her hope to support new artists.

00:00 – Introduction

03:16 – Working in film Trishul

05:56 – Debut scene with Amitabh Bachchan

07:37 – Why Yash Chopra chose Poonam?

09:18 – Working with Rajesh Khanna

13:31 – Fan crowd for Rajesh Khanna

14:05 – Shooting with Kumar Gaurav

16:03 – Costume designers in the 1980s

20:55 – Working with Rishi Kapoor

23:31 – Do directors go strict on their own kids?

27:30 – Kamal Haasan’s lesson on punctuality

30:28 – Working in television

34:03 – Robbery at home

35:38 – Working for street children

38:25 – Why was Poonam upset with her marriage?

40:48 – Life after divorce

42:00 – Friends’ reaction after divorce

43:35 – Bollywood’s 80s dating & marriage stories

47:53 – Off-screen moments with co-stars

49:29 – Introducing vanity vans

51:52 – Dining at Rishi Kapoor’s home

55:18 – How Yeh Vaada Raha film was pitched

59:36 – 80s heroines avoided abuse

01:01:07 – Handling emotions after shooting

01:04:61 (or 01:05:01) – Managing finances & investment

01:12:58 – Lessons for children

01:15:16 – Working with FCAT & CINTAA

01:23:08 – Joining BJP & social work

01:25:16 – Offered Rajya Sabha seat