Annu Kapoor Recalls Hilarious ‘Mashaal’ Mix-Up: Almost Paid for Anil Kapoor’s Role!
Mumbai, India – Veteran actor Annu Kapoor recently reminisced about a comical mix-up during the production of the 1984 Yash Chopra classic, Mashaal, where he inadvertently received none other than Anil Kapoor’s payment cheque. The incident, recounted in a resurfaced video from his appearance on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show,’ offers a charming glimpse into the early days of these Bollywood stalwarts.
Kapoor, known for his versatile acting and distinctive voice, revealed the amusing blunder that occurred while the production team was settling dues. He humorously detailed how he, a budding actor with a modest role, was mistakenly handed a cheque intended for the film’s hero, Anil Kapoor.
"Anil Kapoor was born in December, and he was born in 1957. So, I have Anil Kapoor, Sunny Deol, and Jackie Shroff with me. If I am not mistaken, I am older than them," Annu Kapoor began, setting the scene. "So, when we came here, we shot a movie together. He is a hero. We don’t have any identity. We don’t have a face or personality. But still, there is no problem."
He continued, describing his initial payment for his role: "So, for Rs. 4000, he made me stand behind Dilip Kumar. My total full and final payment was Rs. 4000." However, things took an unexpected turn at Yash Chopra’s office.
Kapoor recounted the moment he was handed a cheque with a significantly higher amount. "He issued a cheque of Rs. 10,000 in Anil Kapoor’s name. So, I went to Raj Kamal’s studio, and he gave me the cheque. When he gave me the cheque, after seeing the Rs. 10,000, I thought, ‘How did a beggar like me get a miracle in my life?’ So, I prayed to God, saying, ‘You gave me a cheque of Rs. 10,000.’ I don’t know why; I thought Yash Chopra felt pity for me. He felt pity for a poor man.”
The heartwarming misconception, however, was soon cleared up. The truth emerged when Anil Kapoor’s brother, Boney Kapoor, arrived to collect Anil’s payment, only to be informed that the cheque had already been issued.
"He said, ‘No, Anil didn’t get any check.’ So, there must have been some arguments," Annu Kapoor explained. "Anyway, he reacted and proved that the check was not given to Boney Kapoor’s brother. They told him that someone else has come from Delhi, and the check has been given to him. At that time, this poor man’s bank account was not here. When would I have gone and deposited the check? So, the check was with me."
Demonstrating his unwavering honesty, Annu Kapoor promptly returned the cheque to Boney Kapoor. "Boney Kapoor told me, ‘Look, this check is of my brother, hero Anil Kapoor.’ I said, ‘Take it.’ I was so honest," he concluded with a laugh, highlighting his integrity even in the face of an unexpected windfall.
The anecdote not only provides a humorous peek into the behind-the-scenes workings of classic Bollywood but also underscores Annu Kapoor’s grounded personality and his early struggles in the industry.
About ‘Mashaal’
The 1984 film Mashaal, directed by Yash Chopra, starred Dilip Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, and Rati Agnihotri. The film followed the life of Vinod Kumar, a principled journalist played by Dilip Kumar, who strives to expose a powerful underworld figure. After suffering immense personal loss and betrayal, he mentors a young man named Raja (Anil Kapoor) from a nearby slum. The narrative explores themes of justice, revenge, and the transformation of individuals under extreme circumstances. The film was remade in Malayalam as ‘Ithile Iniyum Varu,’ with Mammootty in the lead, and its screenplay was originally based on the acclaimed Marathi play ‘Ashroonchi Zhali Phule’. The resurfaced video offers a delightful reminder of the early days of these iconic actors and the often-unforeseen moments that shaped their journey in Indian cinema.
