Mulk director Anubhav Sinha calls Rishi Kapoor ‘Punjabi bully’: ‘He would randomly come to me…’

Mulk director Anubhav Sinha calls Rishi Kapoor 'Punjabi bully': ‘He would randomly come to me...'

As a film enthusiast and having had the privilege of witnessing the magic that transpired between Anubhav Sinha and Rishi Kapoor during the making of Mulk, I find myself reminiscing about their unique bond. The memory of Rishi Kapoor, a Punjabi bully who would relentlessly demand scene narrations from Sinha, still brings a chuckle to my heart. His insistence on understanding every line and nuance was both endearing and challenging, as I struggled to maintain my composure while performing for the legendary actor.


Reminiscing on my collaboration with the late Rishi Kapoor during Mulk in 2018, I can’t help but fondly look back at our time together. This man, whom I affectionately dubbed a “Punjabi bully,” would tease me mercilessly by demanding that I recite his lines for him. He’d unexpectedly pop up and question me, “What on earth have you written here? I don’t get it!

In a conversation with Mashable India, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha shared an anecdote about Rishi Kapoor’s fondness for hearing scene descriptions from him. Since Rishi was a Punjabi portraying a character from Benaras, he frequently asked Sinha to speak the lines out loud. Sinha admitted that he found it challenging to act with Rishi observing closely, and requested the actor, “Could you please listen to me when I narrate the scene? I don’t know anything more than that.” This prompted Rishi Kapoor to actively participate in conversations about different scenes.

Later on, I understood that he was harassing me by making me recite scenes and lines. He was a bully from Punjab. Whenever he wanted, he would approach me and ask, “What’s this you’ve written? I can’t grasp it. How should I deliver this line?” These questions left me puzzled. I would question him back, “Why sir, what’s the issue?

During the same interview, Anubhav openly expressed his respect for the legendary actor, Rishi Kapoor, who was known for his courteous demeanor. As they reminisced about Rishi’s illustrious career, Sinha pointed out that Rishi was a natural-born star, as he had already gained fame by age 12, playing the son of Raj Kapoor. He fondly remembered how Rishi won over audiences in Mera Naam Joker and, despite his stardom, approached him with great humility, asking, “Please Anubhav, could you tell me?

Although Sinha preferred an informal approach, Rishi maintained his respectful tone, addressing him as ‘Sir’. In the end, they agreed on ‘Sinha sahab’, a term that reflected their work-related relationship.

2018’s legal drama Mulk revolves around a family fighting to clear their names after one of their own is accused of terrorism. With an engaging plot and strong acting, the movie features Taapsee Pannu, Rajat Kapoor, and Manoj Pahwa among its cast members.

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2024-09-28 10:52