Veteran actor Ranjeet makes surprising revelations about '70s and '80s Bollywood parties, says, 'Parveen Babi would make drinks, Rajesh Khanna would drink one-two bottles'

Bollywood flashback: Actor Ranjeet (left) often hosted Hindi film co-stars including Praveen Babi and Rajesh Khanna for parties at his Mumbai home.

Veteran actor and villain of many movies in the 1970s-80s Ranjit, whose real name is Gopal Bedi, took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, sharing surprising tidbits from the glitzy Bollywood parties in their era.  In a recent chat with ANI, the actor, known for his villainous roles, shed light on the behind-the-scenes friendships among Bollywood's elite during the 1970s and '80s.

Living alone in his Juhu bungalow, away from his parents in Delhi, Ranjeet's place became the go-to spot for the industry's who's who, including legends like Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, and Dharmendra, to name a few. The actor reminisced, "My house was where everyone would end up in the evening. It was all very casual and open."

He shared how these gatherings were not just about the glam but had a homely feel too, with actresses taking turns to whip up their specialty dishes. "Reena Roy was famous for her paranthas, while Parveen Babi mixed up her signature drinks. Moushumi Chatterjee would cook fish, and Neetu Kapoor's bhindi was a hit," he detailed.

Ranjeet also dropped some bombshells about the party habits of the stars, particularly Rajesh Khanna, who he said could easily go through "one-two bottles in one night." Despite his own abstention from alcohol, Ranjeet found joy in hosting, saying, "I felt blessed. A home that's open to guests is a home blessed by God."

Despite the non-stop nightlife, Ranjeet managed a hectic work schedule with ease, often finding the party still buzzing after finishing his filming shifts. He laughed at how some lead actors would roll out of bed late, around 2 pm, despite having a 10 am call time, a contrast to his disciplined schedule that allowed him to take on multiple roles.

Ranjeet also touched on how back in his day, villains didn't get the script love they do now. "I had to come up with my own lines on the spot. Villains weren't given dialogues like the heroes and heroines were," he recalled, highlighting the spontaneous nature of his iconic lines.

Reflecting on contemporary cinema, Ranjeet voiced his concern over the current trend of replacing meaningful scenes with item numbers and explicit content. He longed for the elegance of past dances, performed by the likes of Bindu, Helen, and Waheeda Rehman, which he described as "extremely graceful."

Ranjeet, with his roles in classics like 'Gaddaar' and 'Aap Ki Kasam', remains a cherished figure in Bollywood's history, embodying the charisma and intrigue of an era gone by.