A disturbing incident from the sets of the film Anjana Safar, later released as Do Shikari, has resurfaced, highlighting the lack of consent and safety for actresses in the earlier days of Bollywood. The incident, detailed in Yasser Usman's biography, Rekha: The Untold Story, recounts how actress Rekha, then only 15 years old, was forcibly kissed by her co-star Biswajeet, who was 32 at the time.

According to the biography, the kiss was not planned or discussed with Rekha beforehand. The director, Kuljeet Pal, along with cinematographer Raja Nawathe, allegedly conspired with Biswajeet to surprise Rekha with the kiss once the cameras started rolling. As described in the book, Biswajeet grabbed Rekha and kissed her, and the camera continued to roll, capturing the entire scene. It's reported that the kiss lasted for approximately five minutes, during which Rekha's distress was evident as she kept her eyes shut and filled with tears. Adding to the trauma, the crew members reportedly whistled and cheered during the unwanted kiss.

Rekha, in retrospect, expressed the deep emotional impact of the incident, stating that "nothing could've compensated, nothing can wipe off what I felt". The biography recounts that the sounds of the crew's encouragement haunted her long after the event.

Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the incident. Director Kuljeet Pal claimed that Rekha was fully aware and had consented to the kissing scene, even suggesting that she should publicly express discomfort to gain publicity, given the rarity of such scenes for Hindi film heroines at the time. However, this claim is disputed by the account in Rekha's biography, which asserts that the kiss was unexpected and unwanted.

Biswajeet defended his actions, stating they were not for his enjoyment but deemed necessary for the film. However, his explanation and the director's claim do little to negate the power imbalance and lack of consideration for the young actress's well-being.

Anjana Safar faced significant delays and censorship issues, eventually being released in 1979 under the title Do Shikaari, long after Rekha had established herself in the industry. The film was a box office disappointment, and Rekha and Biswajeet never worked together again.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of actors, particularly young women, in the film industry and the importance of consent and respect on set. It also underscores how different the industry was in the 1960s, where transgressions often went unchecked due to the limited agency women had. In today's environment, intimacy coordinators are becoming more common to ensure boundaries are respected. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for continuous vigilance and advocacy for a safer and more respectful working environment for all performers.