Recalling memories of Rishi ji, she shared her thoughts with ETimes in an exclusive chat…
How did it feel to be a part of Rishi Kapoor’s last film?
It has been very special to be a part of ‘Sharmaji Namkeen’. We have been at it for a really long time so we are really happy that it’s finally out and everyone has seen it.
There have been a lot of good reviews for the film. For me, this is a really special story. From the moment I had the go-ahead for the film, I knew this was going to be a very sweet film. I got to be a girl-next-door in the film which is rare in my case. I enjoyed that it was Hitesh (Bhatia) directing me for the first time. There was Rishiji in the film and then Suhail (Nayyar), too. Indeed it was special.
Go on…
Bohot sarein audition diye the. I had a lot of rounds of auditions before our director Hitesh cast us for the film. It wasn’t easy. I think I auditioned for two solos and one round with Suhail. There were other workshops too, he was very particular.
What was your reaction when you learned about the star cast of the film?
I was very relieved. After you audition, prep a scene and finally you get the role, it feels great. It’s a nice story to be a part of and I also got to work with an experienced actor like Rishi Ji.
Can you share one memory with Rishi Kapoor from the sets?
I didn’t get too much time with him, but I am not complaining. I got to be a part of something very special. I did get a scene with him, in fact, a lot of people have been telling me that they enjoyed the last scene where the family meet and they all are like biscuit kha rahe hain chai pi rahein hain and the typical chaos. We really enjoyed it.
I remember telling him ‘Rishiji can you please stay for the cues, it would be really nice’. He responded saying, ‘What? What do you mean?’ Then I explained that it would be nice to respond to your energy, and he stayed. Actors like him train their minds in a different way. Being brilliant actors they don’t need their co-actors’ help and they still do well. It was not the case with me. I am one of those who goes around saying ‘Are please cues de do’. I have been trying to figure my way around that. He was very spontaneous, which is visible in the scenes. I had such a good time.
You have worked with Paresh Rawal and Rishi Kapoor, two legends at once. How would you call them as co-stars?
Unfortunately, I haven’t shared screen space with Paresh Ji because I have no screen time left by the time we were done.
As an actor when I later watched the film, I learned how two brilliant actors approach the same part, that was my takeaway.
The film was left incomplete after Rishi Kapoor’s untimely demise. Did you get a second thought about taking up the project?
Of course not, we were dying to just finish it. It was, of course, disheartening for the makers. It has been a film that took quite a few years to finish but we were sure that we had to wrap it up. It’s a great tribute to Rishi sit. I used to watch him in ‘Kabhi Kabhie’ and its songs like ‘Pyaar Kar Liya To Kya, Pyaar Hai Khata Nahin’, and finally, I got to work with him.
Name one film of Rishi Kapoor that you can watch on the loop.
I really enjoyed ‘Kapoor & Sons’. I think that special performances come when you want to do a lot of different kinds of roles, and what he did in that film left everyone surprised. I can watch it over and over again.
What’s next in your career?
I have just finished Homi Adajania’s project and I am looking forward to it. There’s a Malayalam film ‘Theerpu’ coming out soon on OTT. I also have a Tamil film that I’m doing at the moment.
