In a candid interview, renowned actor Nana Patekar opened up about his tumultuous working relationship with director Vidhu Vinod Chopra during the filming of the 1989 classic, *Parinda*. Patekar revealed that their intense clashes on set have left a lasting impact, admitting that whenever he meets Chopra now, he hopes it will be their final encounter.
The two strong personalities are known for their fiery temperaments, a dynamic that was vividly illustrated when Chopra discussed their clashes while promoting his recent project, *12th Fail*, last year. Appearing on the popular singing reality show *Sa Re Ga Ma Pa*, Chopra was prompted by host Aditya Narayan to elaborate on his on-set relationship with Patekar. The filmmaker shared several anecdotes that highlighted the intensity of their interactions.
Nana Patekar-Vidhu Vinod Chopra Tussle
Chopra recalled his initial impression of Patekar after watching him perform in the play *Purush*. “Those days, I never used to curse. I was a well-behaved young man from Kashmir. But it all changed because of Nana Patekar,” Chopra said, emphasizing the transformative effect Patekar had on him.
He went on to describe the verbal sparring that became routine during the film’s production. “When I’d direct him in a scene, he’d hurl abuses at me. I wondered how I would direct him at all. So, that’s when I started abusing him back,” Chopra explained, adding that his swearing habit developed solely as a means to manage Patekar’s intensity.
Chopra tearing Nana Patekar‘s kurta
One notable incident occurred during a late-night shoot, where Patekar, exhausted, announced he was leaving. Chopra retorted that Patekar would have to cover the overhead costs if he left. This led to a physical altercation, with Chopra tearing Patekar’s kurta. The commotion prompted the cameraman, Binod Pradhan, to announce the shot was ready, and the actors quickly resumed their roles. “If you watch the scene, he’s wearing a vest because his kurta had just been torn. The tears you see are real because we’d just fought,” Chopra revealed.
Initial clash over food
The production of *Parinda*, made on a modest budget of Rs 12 lakh, faced numerous challenges, including a lack of catering funds, compelling everyone to bring their own meals. Reflecting on their initial clash over food, Chopra humorously recounted Patekar’s frustration when asked if he had brought lunch from home.
In a recent interview with *The Lallantop*, Patekar echoed the intensity of their on-set relationship, admitting he would get angry when Chopra called ‘action’ too loudly. He concluded, “Every time I meet him, I wish it to be the last.”
