Amitabh Bachchan, Kabir Khan Recall Shooting For 'Kabul Express' & 'Khuda Gawah' In Afghanistan

It's very difficult to shoot a film in Afghanistan. That's what Aditya Chopra told Kabir Khan when he was making his directorial debut with Kabul Express.

Turns out, when Khan was filming the movie, the Taliban sent out threats to them.

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People he had befriended in Afghanistan, however, supported him. "When we got threats from the Taliban while shooting, those very people helped us again, gave us security, including the government and the locals. Because of that, I was able to finish my film. These are the same people who are asking for help today and I am helpless," he told ETimes.

Bollywood has shot some of the iconic films in the country, but the process wasn't smooth-sailing.

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Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi-starrer Khuda Gawah was also shot in Afghanistan.

At that time, President of Afghanistan Najibullah Ahmadzai was reportedly a fan of Hindi cinema. The megastar was provided with the country's Air Force for security.

"The President provided us excellent security when the shooting was on. Fighter Jet planes were keeping vigil in the sky and Army tanks were at the side of the sets. It just felt like a battlefield," he told PTI.

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Talking about the people of the war-torn country, he said, "Afghans are very noble people. If they become your enemies then it will be a time-bound enmity. But if they become your friend they will give so much affection that you won't be able to bear it."

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In 2013, Big B had written a post on Facebook as per TOI about how it was to shoot for Mazar-e-Sharif in the "extremely troubled times".

"The Soviets had just left the country and power was handed over to Najibullah Ahmadzai who was a die-hard fan of popular Hindi cinema. He wanted to meet me and we were given the right royal treatment."

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"We were treated as VVIP state guests at Mazare-e-Sharif and taken through the length and breadth of the incredibly beautiful country in airplanes with armed escorts. We received the traditional warmth of the locals who have a passion for hospitality. We weren't allowed to stay in hotel... a family just vacated its home for us and moved to a smaller house."

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"There were security problems, of course, with tanks and armed soldiers all over the streets. Still, it's been the most memorable trip of my lifetime."

The cast of the film travelled in a helicopter to see the beautiful castles of the country.

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"We were smothered with gifts. In Kabul, the night before we flew back to India, Najab called us to the president's residence and decorated all of us with the 'order of Afghanistan'. That evening his uncle sang an Indian raga for us with impeccable ease. I don't know where our hosts are, I often wonder where they are today," he added.

Also Read: Real-Life Story Of Sushmita Banerjee Who Inspired Manisha Koirala's Film 'Escape From Taliban'