Shekhar Suman made his Hindi film debut opposite Rekha in the 1984 film Utsav, followed by Manav Hatya, where he starred alongside a young Madhuri Dixit. At the time, neither Shekhar nor Madhuri were established stars.
Shekhar was paid just ₹5,000 for the film, and things became even more surprising when he discovered that his co-star was also a newcomer. Madhuri Dixit was still trying to find her footing in the industry.
Recalling his first meeting with Madhuri, Shekhar said, 'But I agreed to do the film thinking that if Rekha can star with me when I was a newcomer, then why will I not work with another newcomer.'
Madhuri wore Shekhar's wife's clothes in the film, while his wife also handled her make-up. Shekhar also revealed that the team couldn't even afford costumes, make-up artists, or transport for Madhuri.
'The producer told me he didn't have money to bring Madhuri here. 'I don't have Taxi money, so can you pick her up on your motorcycle,' he told me,' Shekhar said.
