Salim-Javed weren’t convinced of Hema Malini’s talent, Mumtaz was first choice for Seeta Aur Geeta: Ramesh Sippy 

While Sippy vouched for Hema, the film writers Salim-Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar) weren’t convinced of Hema Malini’s talent. Explaining further, Sippy said, “So, I asked Hema and Salim-Javed asked me, ‘Are you sure? Does she have that in her personality to play Geeta because Seeta’s role is still okay?'” Ramesh Sippy had directed his debut film Andaz in 1971, starring Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna. Apart from Andaz and Seeta Aur Geeta, Sippy worked with Hema in his iconic film Sholay.

Seeta Aur Geeta also featured Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Roopesh Kumar, Manorama, Satyen Kappu, Honey Irani, and Pratima Devi. The story revolved around identical twins (portrayed by Hema Malini) who are separated at birth and grow up with different temperaments. After they meet each other as adults, they swap places. Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar play the role of their lovers. The film was a major hit at the box office and was remade in several languages.