- By Srishti Pandey
- Tue, 28 May 2024 02:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi recently opened up about her experiences working with the late Shashi Kapoor during the filming of their 1976 movie ‘Fakira’. In a recent conversation with Zoom, Shabana revealed how Shashi, whom she had admired since she was nine years old, initially appeared mean but ultimately showed his kindness in an unexpected way.
Shabana recounted that she had been a fan of Shashi Kapoor since her childhood. "When I was in school, he would come with his family every Sunday to Prithviraj Kapoor’s house, which was right next to ours," she shared. Shabana fondly remembered saving her pocket money to buy black-and-white photos of Shashi, which she would get autographed by him every Sunday. He was the only celebrity whose autograph she ever sought. The actress reflected on her awe when she was cast opposite Shashi in ‘Hira Aur Patthar’ (1977), describing it as "completely unbelievable" given her long-standing admiration for him.
However, not everything was smooth sailing on set. Shabana recalled a particularly challenging moment during the shooting of the song ‘Dil Mein Tujhe Bithakar’ in ‘Fakira’. She arrived on set ahead of Shashi and saw that the choreography involved very intimate moves. Feeling overwhelmed and uncomfortable, Shabana left the set in tears. "I went to my hairdresser and told her I couldn’t do those shots and started crying," she said.
Soon after, Shashi Kapoor knocked on her door, concerned about her distress. When she explained her discomfort, he reprimanded her, saying, "When you became an actress, didn’t you realise this when you told your mother you want to become an actress, stupid girl." His words felt harsh to Shabana at the moment, and she thought he was being mean.
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But then, Shabana experienced an unexpected twist. After half an hour, she returned to the set to find that Shashi had arranged for all the intimate moves to be changed. This gesture revealed his true nature. "This was the kind of person he was," Shabana said, highlighting Shashi Kapoor's underlying kindness and consideration.
Shabana’s story paints a picture of a multifaceted relationship with Shashi Kapoor, filled with admiration, challenges, and ultimately, respect and understanding. Despite the initial scolding, Shashi Kapoor’s actions demonstrated his support and empathy for his co-star, leaving a lasting impression on Shabana Azmi.