Nutan was married and pregnant with Mohnish when Bimal Roy (who had worked
with her in Sujata) offered her Bandini. Her performance made the wait
worthwhile. Ashok Kumar was already doing character roles by then but 1963 was a
great year for him what with Mere Mehboob, Gumraah, Grihasti and Meri Soorat
Teri Aankhen also making it to the marquee. Incidentally, S D Burman came to
Ashok Kumar to ask whether Mere saajan hai uspaar was a decent tune. Dadamoni
replied in the affirmative. Dharmendra was still a relative newcomer, having
tasted success only in the heroine-oriented Anpadh. There was some talk of Nutan
deciding to opt for Dharmendra in the climax; but it didn't fructify.
