RishiDirector Umesh Shukla recently talked about Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. He shared some heartfelt and lesser-known moments from the making of 102 Not Out, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor.
Speaking on a podcast, he revealed the bond the two icons shared. He also talked about their unique working styles, and moments of deep mutual admiration.
Memories Of Working With The Two Legends
Shukla explained that the movie brought together two actors with totally different approaches. “It was an experimental film we made with two yesteryear superstars who have different acting patterns – Rishiji believed in spontaneity, while Big B is a method actor. He is so perfect that you can never tell that he has done his homework.”
While preparing for the film, Shukla said Rishi Kapoor initially declined to attend a workshop. “He said, ‘We usually get the script and we act on it,’ but when I told him that Mr Bachchan had agreed to do the workshop, he also agreed. Chintuji had immense respect for Bachchan sahab.”
‘You Don’t Just Become Bachchan’: Rishi Kapoor Got Emotional
Both actors played Gujarati characters in the film, and Umesh had one specific request: no slippers on set, in line with typical Gujarati home customs. “I used to tell both of them they could wear slippers in close-up shots, but they were so disciplined that they wouldn’t,” he shared.
Rishi Kapoor was also known to dislike retakes, and Umesh recalled, “He would say that what he delivered in the first take was always the best… Sometimes he would just confuse the director by checking how much he knew about his job.”
Despite being known for avoiding night shoots, Kapoor gave his all without complaints. Bachchan, too, was always willing to do what the script required—even reshooting scenes after hours. “He would call me so many times after pack-up, asking if we could reshoot something.”
The most touching moment came during dubbing, when Rishi Kapoor was overwhelmed by one of Bachchan’s scenes. Kapoor couldn’t continue. “He said, ‘Dekho kitna bada actor hai yeh Bachchan, yeh aise hi Bachchan nahi hote hai.’ He went home without dubbing and sent a bouquet to Big B,” said Shukla. “Big B also got very emotional when he saw that scene.”
