This is an archive article published on June 5, 2025
‘Sharminda’ Parmeet Sethi kept apologising to Anil Kapoor as they ran 3 kms across airport to catch a flight for Dil Dhadakne Do shoot: ‘He was in a towel’
As Dil Dhadakne Do clocks 10 years of its release, actor Parmeet Sethi recalled a funny anecdote while travelling to the shooting location with Anil Kapoor.
Zoya Akhtar’s 2015 film Dil Dhadakne Do was as lighthearted off-camera as it was on the big screen. Actor Parmeet Sethi, who played the role of Lalit Sood in rom-com, had the ‘most special’ experience while shooting for the film. While speaking to SCREEN on the movie’s 10th anniversary, he recalled the fond memories, and apologising to Anil Kapoor for missing their flight to the shoot location.
Talking about his experience, Parmeet said, “I can’t describe it in one line. It was a beautiful, one of the best work trips I’ve ever had in my life. We were shooting on a ship in the Mediterranean sea, something which I had never done before. It is so rare these days to get such an ensemble cast on board with the schedule and dates, everyone shooting together as a group. It was something I would actually never forget.”
He added, “All of us used to meet in the evening, sitting and singing songs, having wine, and eating food together. It was like a party happening every night after the shoot. It wasn’t just about work, it was one of the most special shoots I have experienced in my life.”
Parmeet Sethi recalled an anecdote when he ended up ‘apologising’ to Anil Kapoor while travelling for the shoot of Dil Dhadakne Do. “I and Anil were flying together from India, and we had a break in Istanbul, before going to Barcelona. He and I were in the business class lounge, just eating food and talking. He asked me to check the timing to board the next flight. His staff was outside the business lounge, and only he and I were there. I went to see the display, I read the time, it was written in Turkish. I told him that we have a lot of time, no problem,” he shared.
The duo then went to relax in the sauna room of the lounge. “There was a nice sauna and steam in the business class lounge. He said, ‘Chalo kapde utaarte hain, jaate hain araam se’. We were chilling at the spa over there. Suddenly, a person came and asked our names, and said that our flight is leaving now. I was shocked.”
As soon as Parmeet realised his mistake, both he and Anil rushed to catch their flight, but unfortunately missed it. “So, I was basically looking at the time of departure as the time of boarding. Bechaara Anil was inside his towel and I had to pull him out, ‘Chalo’. I told him that it was in Turkish and I got confused. I thought we have around an hour. We quickly wore our clothes and we were running throughout that huge airport. We must have ran for atleast 2-3 kms and the gate was closed,” he revealed.
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They eventually stayed in Instanbul for another night and travelled to Barcelona the very next day. “We missed the flight, mai itna sharminda tha. I kept apologising to him. But, he was so kind, he said that my staff should have called me, it isn’t your fault. They were waiting over there for us, they should have told us. Then, he and I had to stay the night over there in Istanbul. We had an unexpected speed bump, till today, I think about that day. What a rookie mistake I made! The whole crew was worried that what happened, main kisi se aankh hi nahi mila paaraha tha,” he concluded.
Besides Anil Kapoor and Parmeet Sethi, Dil Dhadakne Do featured an ensemble cast of Ranveer Singh, Farhan Akhtar, Shefali Shah, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, Zarina Wahab, and Rahul Bose, among others. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, it was produced by Excel Entertainment.
Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.
Experience & Professional Background
Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:
The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.
Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.
Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.
On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.
South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More
