When Anil Kapoor Dropped Nana Patekar From Parinda, "Main Kyu Usko Star Banau?"

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JUNE 25,2024

Bollywood controversies and fights between two actors can last as long as you can imagine. While they may seem like the best of friends on screen, their off-screen relationship would be the polar opposite. One such duo was Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor.

You must be shocked, knowing how cordial the two are. Their incredible performance in the 2007 release Welcome left people awestruck, thus adding the two to the Bollywood BFFs list.

However, do you know that Anil Kapoor was once extremely insecure about Nana Patekar? So much so that he almost dropped the veteran actor from the 1989 release, Parinda.

Why was Anil Kapoor insecure about Nana Patekar?

The two displayed spectacular performances in the 1989 release, Parinda. The Vidhu Vinod Chopra directorial also starred Jackie Shroff and Madhuri Dixit in pivotal roles.

Initially, Patekar was supposed to essay Jackie's role in the film. He played Anil's elder brother in Parinda.

In a recent interview, Nana Patekar revealed how and why he was kicked out of the film, courtesy of Anil Kapoor's insecurity. Blaming the JugJugg Jeeyo actor, Nana even voluntarily walked out of the film.


Also Read: Nana Patekar On Not Being Casted In Welcome To The Jungle, "They Think Hum Bohot Puraane Ho Gaye Hai"

However, he ended up playing Anna's part in the film, which was massively lauded and appreciated by moviegoers.

"'I was initially going to do Jackie's role. Naseer (Naseeruddin Shah) was supposed to play Anna (the part eventually played by Nana). Then Naseer backed out. Anil and I did a lot of rehearsals. I prepared for six months," the Raajneeti actor said.

He further added, "I recently asked Anil, 'You asked Vinod to drop me from the film?' He said, 'I thought Nana ko kyu star banau main (why should I make Nana the star)? It was obvious that you'd become a star if you played Jackie's part.' I told him, 'Didn't I tell you that whatever role you give me, I'd become the star anyway? Nobody would look at you.'

Nana Patekar and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's strained relationship

The Apaharan star also mentioned that all is well between him and Anil Kapoor these days. After Parinda, the two went on to reunite in Anees Bazmee's Welcome and Welcome 2, where they played partners-in-crime.

However, his relationship with the 12th Fail filmmaker continues to be questionable and strained due to other reasons. Every time Nana Patekar meets Vidhu Vinod Chopra, he hopes it's the last time.

Also Read: Anil Kapoor Opens Up On Being Replaced In No Entry 2 And Welcome 3

'All's well between Anil and me these days. But at that time, he was a star. He asked Vinod to drop me from the film, and he did. I also walked out. Three-four months later, Vinod came to me. He asked me if I'd play Anna," Nana said.

The veteran actor further added, "I first felt angry, then I agreed. He then said he'd pay me whatever my market rate was. I said, obviously, that you will you're not doing me a favor. I just said I'd rewrite my part.'

Nana Patekar will next be seen in Prakash Jha's web series, Laal Batti. It is streaming on Zee 5.

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