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Anu Aggarwal: Breastfeeding Scene in 'Khal-Naaikaa' Was Natural, Not Bold

Former actress Anu Aggarwal has reflected on a breastfeeding scene from her 1993 film "Khal-Naaikaa," which many considered bold. She explains that she never viewed it that way, instead seeing it as a natural act and a necessary part of portraying her manipulative character truthfully. The film was an adaptation of the Hollywood thriller "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle." Aggarwal's career was tragically interrupted by a severe car accident in 1999 that left her with memory loss.

Key Points: Anu Aggarwal on 'Khal-Naaikaa' Breastfeeding Scene

  • Scene was widely perceived as bold
  • Anu Aggarwal saw it as natural
  • Adapted from 'The Hand That Rocks the Cradle'
  • Part of a manipulative nanny's plot
2 min read

Anu Aggarwal says 'breastfeeding' scene in 'Khal-Naaikaa' wasn't bold: Most natural thing

Actress Anu Aggarwal recalls a pivotal scene from the 1993 film 'Khal-Naaikaa,' explaining why she never saw the breastfeeding moment as bold.

"It was the most natural thing- life itself. - Anu Aggarwal"

Mumbai, April 18

Taking a stroll down memory lane, former actress Anu Aggarwal recalled a sequence from her 1993 film "Khal-Naaikaa" that was widely perceived as bold, saying she never viewed it that way and instead saw it as "the most natural thing, life itself."

In the film, Anu played a manipulative nanny. The scene she's talking about is where she breastfeeds the child of a family she works for to alienate the mother, a key plot point adapted from the psychological thriller "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" by Curtis Hanson.

Anu took to Instagram, where she shared three pictures of herself from the film, in which she is seen breastfeeding the baby.

"Khalnayika. There was a moment in the film many called bold. For me, it wasn't. It was the most natural thing- life itself. As an actor, I had to step away from my own sense of right and wrong. To play the character truthfully, I had to see the character as justified in everything she did. It was just another scene to perform."

"In fact, there were others far more demanding. Not shock. Truth," she concluded.

Khal-Naaikaa was directed by Saawan Kumar. It also stars Jeetendra, Jaya Prada, Anu Aggarwal. The film is based on The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, which stars Rebecca De Mornay, Matt McCoy, Ernie Hudson, Julianne Moore, and Madeline Zima.

"Khal-Naaikaa" follows a pregnant woman, whose husband commits suicide due to sexual harassment allegations, who decides to avenge his and her baby's death by plotting against the accuser's family.

Talking about Anu, after her debut in 1990, Anu appeared in a string of Hindi films, including Ghazab Tamasha, King Uncle, Khal-Naaikaa, The Cloud Door, Janam Kundli, and Ram Shastra.

Her last release was Return of Jewel Thief, which was released in 1996. Directed by Ashok Tyagi, the film was a sequel to the 1967 film Jewel Thief, which starred Ashok Kumar and Dev Anand, who reprise their roles in this film. The film's cast also includes Dharmendra, Jackie Shroff, Shilpa Shirodka, and Madhoo.

The actress in 1999 was injured in a serious car accident. After which, she was in a coma for almost 29 days, which left her with no memory of her earlier life.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
I remember this film! The scene was shocking back then, but only because of the character's *intent*—using it as a weapon—not the act itself. Anu Aggarwal was a fantastic actor. Her perspective as an artist is so clear. Wishing her well 🙏
S
Sarah B
Interesting point. In the West, the original film 'The Hand That Rocks the Cradle' was also controversial for the same scene. It's a universal issue of how motherhood and the female body are portrayed in thrillers. Her take is very mature.
A
Aman W
Respectfully, I think the article and her statement are missing some context. While breastfeeding is natural, the scene's power came from its *unnatural* context within the plot—a manipulative nanny. Calling it "just another scene" downplays the clever writing that made it impactful.
K
Kavya N
So brave of her to do this scene in the 90s! Bollywood was (and still is) so conservative about showing real aspects of womanhood. We see a thousand violent scenes, but one natural maternal act becomes "bold". Her life story is truly inspiring after all she's been through.
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Vikram M
Honestly, I think the media is making a bigger deal of this now than audiences did then. It was a gripping thriller, and this was a key psychological moment. Anu Aggarwal nailed the role. It's good to see her reflecting on her work with such clarity.

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