Nana Patekar confronts ‘bakwaas aadmi’ Anil Kapoor for having him replaced in Parinda: ‘I didn’t work with you for 19 years’

Also read – When Vidhu Vinod Chopra ripped Nana Patekar’s clothes during fight on Parinda set, said that even cops were concerned: ‘I learned to abuse due to him’

While Nana said that, Anil smiled quietly. Nana continued, “But I would like to thank him, because if he hadn’t insisted on Jackie, I wouldn’t have got the role of Anna.” Anil offered his side of the story. He said, “You’ll be surprised, I was the casting director on the film Hum Paanch… I have done a bunch of odd jobs. I was in production, I was in casting, I would escort stars to set… I would tail Naseeruddin Shah. I’ve done it all. I had a huge role to play in the casting for Hum Paanch. I might be wrong, but I felt that for my brother’s role in Parinda, Jackie would be the best choice. I’m being very honest with you.”

Kamal Chopra, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Suresh Oberoi and Jackie Shroff in Parinda (Express Archive).

Nana replied, “Because of your honesty, I lost the role. You realise I didn’t work with you for 19 years after that? I thought, ‘Yeh toh bada bakwaas aadmi hai yaar (He’s a terrible guy)”. Anil said, “It was nothing against you. I merely made a suggestion to the director, and the final decision was his. Remember this. These people fire off the shoulders of heroes.” Nana dismissed this excuse, and said, “But you were the star, of course he’d listen to you.” He conceded, “Jackie did a good job, though. He won a Filmfare award for his performance.”

Anil didn’t stop defending himself. He said, “Our family has been in the film business for 60 years, please know that I would never compromise on the film for anything. We are friends now, so many years later…” Nana thanked Anil for helping him promote Vanvaas, but added, “You’ve changed now, but back then, you would behave like a star.”

In a past interview with The Lallantop, Nana made it clear that he doesn’t enjoy Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s company. He said, “Every time I meet him, I wish it to be the last meeting.”