Nana Patekar, a respected and influential actor in Indian cinema, is known for his intense screen presence and straightforward personality. He has played a wide variety of roles in his long career, which began in 1978. Despite his serious image, Nana Patekar has always been open about his thoughts and experiences with fellow actors. Recently, in an interview with The Lallantop, Nana shared his memorable experience of working with the late actor Rishi Kapoor during the 1995 film Hum Dono.
Nana Patekar and Rishi Kapoor, both known for their fiery tempers, did not always see eye-to-eye during their work on the film. Nana revealed that Rishi Kapoor had a short temper and would often lose his cool, especially when things did not go according to plan. "He (Rishi Kapoor) would get angry very quickly," Nana admitted.
Rishi Kapoor’s Anger Over Retakes
One of the main reasons Rishi Kapoor would lose his temper on set was when the director asked for multiple takes. In the film industry, it's common for directors to request retakes if a scene doesn't turn out as expected. However, Rishi Kapoor, who was known for his strong personality, did not take kindly to this.
Nana Patekar recalled an incident where Rishi Kapoor became angry when asked to repeat a shot. Nana had felt that the first take wasn’t good and asked Rishi to try again. “I once asked him to give it another shot, as the first one was terrible. He said, 'Who is the director here? Shafi, or you? Hatao yaar isko.'”
Rishi Kapoor, clearly irritated, agreed to do the second take, but according to Nana, it was still not up to the mark. Nana, in his blunt style, told Rishi, “Chintu ye bakwaas hai" (Chintu, this is nonsense). At this point, Rishi Kapoor lost his patience completely and began abusing Nana. "Itni gandi gaaliyan!" Nana laughed as he remembered the moment, emphasizing just how angry Rishi had become.
Despite their tension, Nana explained that Rishi was not someone who would hold grudges. After the fifth take, Rishi Kapoor calmed down and said, “Now I will hit you!” But in a surprising twist, the fifth take turned out to be the best one, and it was the one that made it into the final cut of the film. “That was the best take!” Nana said, showing how sometimes even heated moments can lead to success in filmmaking.
A Strong Friendship After the Tensions
Though their on-set relationship was sometimes tense, Nana Patekar and Rishi Kapoor developed a close friendship in real life. Nana spoke about how, despite their differences on set, the two actors became good friends. They often talked about personal matters, and Nana supported Rishi during a difficult time in his life — when he was undergoing cancer treatment.
Nana shared that during Rishi Kapoor’s illness, they spent a lot of time talking about life, and their conversations helped strengthen their bond. One of Rishi's memorable compliments to Nana was, “You are an OK actor, but amazing chef.”
Sadly, Rishi Kapoor passed away in 2020 after a long battle with cancer. Nana Patekar has spoken fondly of him since his passing, remembering their time together with affection.
Nana Patekar’s Career Today
On the work front, Nana Patekar continues to act and entertain audiences. His recent film The Vaccine War (2023) saw him in a significant role, alongside Raima Sen, Anupam Kher, and Pallavi Joshi. He will next be seen in Journey, directed by Anil Sharma, where he stars alongside Utkarsh Sharma. Despite the passing of many years, Nana Patekar's legacy in Indian cinema remains strong, and he continues to inspire with his work.
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