Former actress turned Buddhist nun Barkha Madan recently had an unexpected reunion with Gulshan Grover, popularly known as Bollywood’s “Bad Man.” This surprising encounter brought back cherished memories from her past.
Barkha, who left the film industry over a decade ago to embrace monastic life, shared a picture with Gulshan on Instagram. The chance meeting stirred up emotions she seldom revisits. She expressed on social media: “Life has its gentle surprises. At a wedding reception, I suddenly found myself face-to-face with the ever-charming Bad Man—Gulshan Grover ji. Fourteen years into monastic life, and the universe still finds playful ways to remind me of my filmi past!”
She fondly recalled signing the 1996 film Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi at the age of 20, where she shared the screen with stalwarts like Rekha, Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, and the late Inder Kumar. In this film, Gulshan portrayed the memorable villain, King Don.
Reflecting on those moments, she said, “I was just 20 when I signed Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, sharing the screen with the legendary Rekha ji, Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, and late Inder Kumar. And of course, the unforgettable Bad Man himself. Those memories are held even dearer because of the graciousness of a visionary filmmaker, Umesh Mehra ji—a true gentleman to work with.”
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi was the fifth highest-grossing movie of 1996 and marked the fourth installment in the Khiladi series. Notably, it also marked Rekha’s second negative role after Madam X.
Barkha further reminisced about working with Rekha again in the 2003 film Bhoot, saying, “Rekha ji and I crossed paths again in Bhoot, and both films gifted me with fond memories and great success.”
Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, Bhoot features a stellar cast, including Ajay Devgn, Urmila Matondkar, Nana Patekar, Rekha, Fardeen Khan, and Tanuja. It is Ram Gopal Varma’s second horror film after Raat.
Barkha concluded her reflections by noting, “I rarely speak of my acting days, but this unexpected meeting opened a gentle window to a past filled with warmth, gratitude, and a little sparkle from another lifetime. @gulshangrover @akshaykumar.”
In 2012, Barkha transitioned to life as a Buddhist nun, inspired by Buddhist ideologies, and is a devoted follower of the Dalai Lama.