Nana Patekar was once part of the film 'Parinda'. The veteran actor opened up about being replaced by Jackie Shroff in the film at the behest of Anil Kapoor. Nana Patekar was supposed to play the brother of Anil's character in the film, before Jackie Shroff was cast in the film instead of him. The 'Welcome' actor recently admitted that he resented Anil for encouraging the switch, while Anil defended his action by saying that it was the director's call at the end of the day.
Anil Kapoor & Nana Patekar's friendship
The two later united to promote Nana's upcoming film 'Vanvaas', directed by Anil Sharma. During an interaction with Indian Express, Nana Patekar who reunited with Kapoor to promote Nana's upcoming film 'Vanvaas' directed by Anil Sharma, said, "You bullied me so much during Parinda. Let me tell you, I was going to play the brother’s role in the film. We’d even done rehearsals. Jackie was hired later, because of Anil.”
When Nana said that, "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 Kapoor only smiled.
Anil Kapoor then offered his side of the story. "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.”
“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)”, Nana said to which Anil Kapoor responded, "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," in the same interaction.
Nana Patekar immediately quipped, "But you were the star, of course he’d listen to you. Jackie did a good job, though. He won a Filmfare award for his performance.”
Anil Kapoor did not stop to defend himself and 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 then thanked Anil for helping him promote his upcoming film 'Vanvaas' and added, “You’ve changed now, but back then, you would behave like a star.”
Earlier, in an interview with The Lallantop, Patekar admitted that he does not enjoy Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s company. “Every time I meet him, I wish it to be the last meeting,” he had said.