`We looked like glorified extras`

A reliable source told us that all three of them had substantial roles as per the original plan, but as the shooting progressed, Ravi ignored their contributions. Eventually, when the film reached the editing table, they were the first casualties of over-shooting.

Very upset

When contacted, Aman said he was not satisfied with his role in Baabul. "I could have done with a lot better than that. You should ask Ravi Chopra and his editors why they did this. As an actor, I did what I was told. What happened after we finished shooting is something I cannot comment on," he said.

Vaishnavi, however, was forthcoming about her discontentment. She said that she had spoken to Aman after seeing the film on Friday and he was very upset. Vaishnavi then boycotted the premiere of Baabul at Cinemax on Wednesday. She said, "Why were we there in the film? We came out looking like glorified extras. I was invited for the premiere but chose not to attend. I got a confidential report from an insider on what had been done to my role. I saw the film in a theatre in Hyderabad. I am not only disappointed and shocked, but also embarrassed. I had shot for Baabul for 25 days. Where did all that go?"

Our source told us that Baabul was overshot by at least two-and-a-half hours. "When the film was taken to the editing table, it was five-and-a-half hours long."

Vaishnavi endorsed, "I too have heard that the film had become too long. I think they retained more of Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan's scenes. They didn't even retain my close-ups. There is just one close-up of mine which too disappears in a jiffy."

Besotted by stars

The actress also said that Chopra was somewhat starstruck when it came to shooting Baabul. "He was totally in awe of the big stars (Amitabh, Hema, Salman). I am not saying that he treated me with disrespect, but his priorities were evident."

Meanwhile, Parmeet claimed he didn't regret doing Baabul. But that's perhaps because he and Ravi go back a long way and are family friends. "When I heard the story, I knew that the film would be long. These pitfalls do happen in big films. It's unfortunate."

Vaishnavi, who became a known face on TV after acting in Zee's Choti Maa — Ek Anokha Bandhan, said, "I am now doing a serial called Love Story for SAB opposite Mohnish Behl (directed by Anurag Basu).

Then I am doing Pammi Somal's Mummyji opposite Jackie Shroff, where I play his newlywed bride. I want to work with directors who are not besotted by stars, like Madhur Bhandarkar, Mahesh Bhatt and Ram Gopal Varma. These people don't use an actor's services unless he/she is really required in the story."