Saqib Saleem recalls his kissing scene with Randeep Hooda in Bombay Talkies, reveals Karan Johar's unfazed approach

Saqib Saleem, who made his acting debut with the 2011 romantic comedy Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, recently opened up about his most memorable on-screen moment. In a recent interview, Saqib reminisced about a pivotal scene from Bombay Talkies (2013), an anthology film celebrating Indian cinema's centenary. The actor revealed that his most vividly remembered scene involved a kiss between his character and Randeep Hooda’s.He told Bollywood Bubble, “While I wouldn’t call it a ‘wow, what a memorable scene,’ I still remember it vividly. It is because everyone was tense about how it would be executed—who would say what, how many people would be present, and so on. But it all happened in one take.” Recalling director Karan Johar’s approach, Saleem said, “Karan said, ‘Okay, got it, done, moving on.’ Randeep and I looked at each other, then at Karan, asking, ‘That’s it?’ Karan replied, ‘Yes, check it; it’s good.’ We insisted on reviewing it, but Karan was confident. I remember that moment clearly because of the unique atmosphere on set.”Saqib emphasized the cultural significance of the scene, noting that it was a departure from the stereotypical portrayal of homosexuality in Indian cinema. “Back then, two mainstream male actors playing homosexual characters wasn’t common. Homosexuality was often portrayed as comedic in films. Bombay Talkies was one of the first films to bring such a storyline into the mainstream and give a leading man a defined sexual identity.” The scene, shot on a rooftop, marked a moment of quiet revolution for LGBTQ+ representation in Bollywood. Saleem concluded, “That day stands out as memorable. We were shooting the scene on a rooftop, and everyone was so quiet. No one was talking much; there was this odd, unspoken awkwardness. It wasn’t clear who should speak, how much, or how comfortable everyone was. But the scene happened in one take, and it’s still there in the film today.”Bombay Talkies remains a landmark in Indian cinema, remembered for its progressive narratives and bold storytelling.