When Anil Kapoor asked Padmini Kolhapure to perform reiki on him before shooting a scene for Taal; recalls being ‘anxious’

When Anil Kapoor asked Padmini Kolhapure to perform reiki on him before shooting a scene for Taal; recalls being 'anxious'

As a die-hard fan of Bollywood and its behind-the-scenes drama, I can’t help but feel a profound admiration for Anil Kapoor after reading about his emotional rollercoaster during the filming of Taal. The story of him calling Padmini Kolhapure for a reiki session to calm his nerves before shooting the iconic climax scene is not just a testament to his dedication, but also a glimpse into the intense pressure actors face while bringing their characters to life.


25 years ago, the movie “Taal,” starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshaye Khanna, and Anil Kapoor, premiered. On September 27, it will return to cinemas for a re-release. Before the filming of its memorable finale, Anil Kapoor shared that he asked Padmini Kolhapure to perform reiki on him to ease his tension before shooting. Additionally, he confessed that he was so nervous about the scene that he told director Subhash Ghai he wouldn’t show up on set.

During a gathering hosted by Radio Nasha, Anil Kapoor reminisced about his experiences working on Taal, revealing that director Subhash Ghai frequently gave him lines at the last second. He acknowledged that these scenes were especially difficult for him, causing him to feel quite nervous. Anil confessed that he initially contemplated skipping the shoot. Later, he disclosed that he contacted Subhash Ghai the evening before the shoot and informed him of his intention not to attend as he hadn’t yet received the closing scene script.

Anil Kapoor shared that Subhash Ghai, being familiar with him, remained composed when Anil voiced his reservations about attending the shoot. The following day, Anil informed his spouse that he wouldn’t be going due to a lengthy scene and fear of receiving it at short notice. As time ticked by from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., his apprehension escalated. To soothe his nerves, he contacted Padmini Kolhapure for a reiki treatment. He stated, “I asked Padmini Kolhapure to perform reiki on me. I was feeling extremely stressed, anxious, and nervous. She arrived and performed reiki on me.

Anil chuckled, reminiscing about his concerns that Subhash might hand over or modify the scene for Akshaye Khanna’s benefit, or Aishwarya Rai’s favor, which had prompted him to attend. He quipped, “I thought he would change it and maybe give it to Akshaye Khanna.” When Anil got to the set between 12:30 and 1 p.m., he found Subhash in a laid-back mood, focusing on other aspects of the movie. Subhash welcomed him warmly, recognizing his presence, and proposed they eat first before filming. They wrapped up the scene in only two hours.

As a die-hard fan, let me share a pivotal moment from the movie Taal that left me spellbound. For those who haven’t seen it yet, there’s this intense scene where my beloved Anil Kapoor’s character, Vikrant, passionately urges Aishwarya Rai’s character, Mansi, to choose Akshaye Khanna’s Manav over him, just before their wedding. This heart-stopping moment signified a transformative juncture in Vikrant’s character arc.

To mark the 25-year milestone of Taal, the cherished musical romantic drama, will be back on the big screen starting September 27. Originally directed by Subhash Ghai in 1999, this timeless piece has garnered classic status over the years. The script, acting, and dialogues were universally praised, but the soundtrack, masterfully crafted by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, was exceptionally admired, playing a crucial role in maintaining the film’s lasting appeal.

Read More

2024-09-26 10:53