In a candid interview with Lallantop, veteran actor Nana Patekar has shed light on the strained relationship between him and director Vidhu Vinod Chopra during the filming of the iconic 1989 crime drama ‘Parinda’. The film, which stars prominent actors Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit Nene, and Nana Patekar himself, tells the gripping story of two brothers caught on opposite sides of a gang war. While ‘Parinda’ cemented its place as a classic in Indian cinema, behind-the-scenes tensions have cast a shadow on its legacy.
Nana Patekar, known for his intense and methodical approach to acting, did not hold back in his assessment of Chopra. “I don’t like Vidhu Vinod Chopra,” Patekar stated bluntly. He went on to explain that his anger has always been difficult for him to control, a trait that hasn’t changed over the years. Patekar touched upon the importance of atmosphere and tone on a film set, emphasizing how crucial it is for actors to stay in character.
“Every scene has its setting, tune, and note, there is a way to talk,” Patekar elaborated. “Now, I don’t know if you watched Parinda, but I was in the character, so when the director says, ‘Lights, camera, clap’, if you aggressively say ‘action’, it starts to linger in your ears. It echoes and hurts your ears.” He pointed out that disruptive behavior from the director could throw off an actor’s performance. “Let us be in our character, please. What happens is, when someone shouts, we forget the note that is required for the scene and unknowingly pick the director’s note. Just say ‘action’ calmly. Let us get into our character and note.”
The friction between Patekar and Chopra went beyond mere artistic differences. Reports suggest that Chopra had asked the cast to bring their own food to the set, a request that did not sit well with Patekar. This seemingly minor issue escalated into a heated altercation, during which Patekar verbally abused the filmmaker.
. In response, Chopra reportedly tore Patekar’s kurta on set, further escalating the tensions. “It is because of this we must have had a tiff. I have very bad memories of him (Vidhu Vinod Chopra) and even habits,” Patekar recalled.
While recounting these incidents, Patekar’s disdain for Chopra was palpable, underscoring how deeply these experiences affected him. Yet, despite these unsettling memories, Patekar’s career has continued to thrive. Most recently, he played a significant role in director Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Vaccine War’. In this film, Patekar portrayed Dr. Balram Bhargava, the Former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
‘The Vaccine War’ revolves around the extraordinary efforts of Indian scientists and the country’s population in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The movie offers a closer look at the development of the BBV152 vaccine, commonly known as Covaxin, which was created by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Virology. Along with Patekar, the film features Pallavi Joshi, Raima Sen, Anupam Kher, Girija Oak, Nivedita Bhattacharya, Sapthami Gowda, and Mohan Kapur, adding to its star-studded cast.
Despite his contentious working relationship with Chopra, Patekar’s performance in ‘Parinda’ remains one of the highlights of his illustrious career. The film is a landmark in Indian cinema, celebrated for its gritty portrayal of Mumbai’s underworld and its nuanced examination of loyalty and betrayal. ‘Parinda’ not only won critical acclaim but also garnered several prestigious awards, cementing its status as a cult classic.
As fans and cinephiles continue to appreciate ‘Parinda’ for its cinematic brilliance, Nana Patekar’s revelations remind us that the journey to creating art is often fraught with personal and professional challenges. The actor’s candidness about his experiences adds another layer to the legacy of a film that continues to be relevant even decades after its release. While Patekar may not hold fond memories of working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra, both men have undeniably made significant contributions to the film industry, shaping its landscape in their unique ways.
