Getting Dev Anand for Jewel Thief wasn't a problem. But getting Ashok Kumar, the
only one who Goldie was convinced could carry off the role of the suave villain,
was difficult. Dadamoni had just returned from a heart surgery and when Goldie
trekked to Roop Tara studio with the intention of getting his okay, he
knew he had a task on his hands. Dev Anand introduced him to Dadamoni saying,
"Goldie wants to make a film with you." After that the younger Anand took over,
telling Dadamoni that he was making a two hero project. "I want you to play the
title role. It's a very challenging role. The only problem is that we learn in
the last reel that your character is the film's bad man. But you've played the
anti-hero before. You can do it. In fact, only you can do it. You're a
courageous actor, yes, you are," Goldie coaxed the veteran actor. Ashok Kumar
was game. But he laid down three conditions. "I'm not going to hit anyone. And
no one should hit me. If I get into fisticuffs it'll kill me," he warned Goldie.
Goldie assured him that there would be no fights. His villain was an
intellectual villain. He uses his mind, not his muscles. Dadamoni was relieved
to hear that. His final condition was that he would report on the sets at 11
a.m. sharp with make-up on. Two hours later they'd break for an hour-long lunch
break. And at 5 p.m. it would be "pack-up". That too was agreeable to Goldie. He
assured Dadamoni that his schedule would be followed to the minute. On the first
day Dev Anand and Ashok Kumar were on the sets at 11 a.m. sharp. But there was
no sign of the film's heroine, Vyjayantimala. An assistant was sent to her every
quarter of an hour. Finally, at 12.30 he returned with the message that madam
didn't want to be disturbed, she'd come when she was ready. At ten minutes to
one she strolled in asking sweetly, "Am I late?" Goldie surprised her by calling
for a lunch break. Vyjayantimala was furious. "Your assistant has been badgering
me for the last two hours and now when I'm here you announce a break," she
raged. Goldie was unfazed. "Our most senior artiste is not a very healthy
person. We have to follow his schedule. You have to be on the set early," he
reminded her. Vyjayantimala never forgot the "slight". For the rest of the film,
Goldie insists, she nursed a khunnas against him. There were some date problems
and many distractions but Vyjayantimala being the professional that she was,
still came up with a polished performance. Goldie's only grievance is that she
could have done better with Hoton pe aisi baat. "I wanted her to rehearse the
number before we went for a final take. But she told me airily that she didn't
need any rehearsals. I insisted she did, but she still didn't report for
rehearsals and came straight to the set. I called for "pack-up" and told her
firmly that she had to stay back in the studio and practise with the assistants.
She did practise, for 15 minutes. Then she got into her car and drove off saying
that Saroj Khan would be coming to her place later and they'd go over the steps
together. The rehearsal never happened but Vyjayantimala being a good actress
and an excellent dancer didn't find it too difficult to pick up the steps and
the shots were okayed quickly. But I could never establish the kind of rapport I
had with Mumtaz, Waheeda, Hema and Raakhee, with Vyjayantimala," Goldie rues
