It was a hot afternoon in Goa while we were shooting Chashme Baddoor (2013). This not so tall but largely intimidating personality, sitting in front of the monitor with his reading glasses resting on his nose, looked up nonchalantly and said, “You’re a Sardarni! How come you started in the South then?” Anyone who knows Rishiji (Kapoor), knows that everything he says can sound like an accusation given his assertive Punjabi tone. I explained to him that I was already 10 films old as we sat talking. Gradually, a warm bond developed between us, which turned sweeter and sweeter just like a Punjabi dessert. Yes, he didn’t have the obvious complimenting tone. His biggest problem with me was why I’d lost so much weight between Chashme Baddoor and Mulk. When he saw me working out in the gym, while we were in Lucknow shooting for Mulk, he showed me my picture from Chashme Baddoor saying, “This is how you should be.” His concern was so endearing that I didn’t want to tell him that my weight hadn’t changed, only my age had.
Breakfast with him, at times, was an aggressive affair because he had a strong take on things and a lot of imposing suggestions about my career. Being around him was like being around an elderly family member, who meant the best for you but had an intense way of communicating it. His sense of humour could be taken for bullying. But it was harmless if you knew the man. His genuine love and criticism made him the only actor, who was more brutally honest than me on the set. His stories and the way he narrated them are my most cherished memories of him. For me he was this cute teddy with a frown on his face and a joke on his tongue.
It’s hard for me to believe he isn’t around. It’s hard for me to believe I won’t get to work with him again after two successful collaborations. It’s hard for me to not hear someone complain about me working out too much or eating too little or not drinking in the evenings.
I will miss his big bear hug, the honest compliments which meant so much. It’s hard not to miss that aura he brought along in the room with him.
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