When Nana Patekar Said Anil Kapoor ‘Bullied’ Him During ‘Parinda’, Jackie Shroff Got the Role

An old conversation between Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor has resurfaced following the reported death of the veteran actor, recalling how Kapoor’s casting preference during the making of the 1989 film Parinda led to Patekar missing out on the role of Jackie Shroff’s elder brother.

In a video from the promotions of Vanvaas, Patekar was seen speaking candidly to Kapoor about the casting decision, telling his longtime friend that he had been bullied by him during the making of the acclaimed film.

“You have bullied me a lot in ‘Parinda’. I was doing Jackie Shroff’s role, his elder brother’s role. We rehearsed, we did this, we did that. Later, Jackie came because of him,” Patekar recalled.

He went on to thank Kapoor for the outcome, explaining that the casting change ultimately allowed him to play Anna, one of the most memorable characters of his career.

Patekar suggested that Kapoor could imagine Shroff as his brother on screen but had difficulty seeing him in that role.

Responding to the recollection, Kapoor said he believed Shroff was the better choice to play the elder brother, while stressing that the final decision rested with the filmmaker.

“I might be wrong, but I felt that for my brother’s role, I felt Jackie would be the best choice. I’m being very honest with you,” Kapoor said.

He added that actors could offer suggestions, but the director ultimately decided who was best suited to a character. Kapoor also assured Patekar that he would never deceive him over a film.

Patekar, meanwhile, acknowledged Shroff’s performance, saying that he had done a good job and had won a Filmfare Award for the role.

Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Parinda became a landmark in Hindi cinema, with its portrayal of Mumbai’s underworld and the performances of its lead cast earning lasting recognition.

The resurfaced exchange offers a glimpse into the professional relationship between Patekar and Kapoor, showing how a casting disagreement became a conversation about honesty, friendship and the unpredictable course of an actor’s career.

Patekar reportedly died at the age of 75 in Goa after suffering cardiac arrest. According to the supplied account, doctors attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other resuscitation measures for around 45 minutes before he was declared dead on arrival.

His last rites were held with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje village in Pune district on Thursday, where he received a three-gun salute. Actors and filmmakers, including Jackie Shroff, Anil Sharma, Anees Bazmee and Firoz Nadiadwala, attended the funeral.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his last respects at Pune airport, while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the farmhouse to pay tribute to the actor.