16-05-2025
Shahid Kapoor Avoided Scene Discussions On R... Rajkumar Until Prabhudeva Intervened
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Shahid Kapoor reportedly had his manager receive scene briefings from director Prabhudeva for nearly a week during R... Rajkumar shoot.
Before actors' entourages became the buzzword in Bollywood circles, some stars were already setting the tone for hierarchy on film sets. One such instance has now come to light through actor Vijay Patkar, who recently opened up about Shahid Kapoor's working style during the shoot of the 2013 action-comedy R… Rajkumar.
In a candid conversation with Filmymntra Media, Patkar recalled how for the first seven days of filming, director Prabhudeva was forced to communicate with Shahid through his manager instead of speaking directly with the actor. 'Prabhudeva would narrate entire scenes to Shahid's manager, who would then relay them to Shahid. This went on for seven days straight," he revealed.
The situation reportedly escalated to the point where the film's director had had enough. 'On the eighth day, Prabhudeva finally confronted Shahid and said, 'Should I continue directing your manager instead of you? How do I convey the nuances of a scene like this?' That's when the pattern stopped," Patkar said, adding that Shahid started engaging directly with the writers and the director after that intervention.
Calling Prabhudeva an 'old-school technician," Vijay explained that such working dynamics didn't sit well with the choreographer-turned-director, who values direct collaboration over filtered communication.
R… Rajkumar, which starred Shahid alongside Sonakshi Sinha and Sonu Sood, became a commercial success and delivered hit tracks like 'Gandi Baat" and 'Saree Ke Fall Sa." The film marked a turnaround for Shahid, who had previously seen a series of underperformers such as Dil Bole Hadippa, Chance Pe Dance, Phata Poster Nikla Hero, and Teri Meri Kahaani.
Reflecting on that phase, Shahid once told Hindustan Times that R… Rajkumar gave him a much-needed sense of relief. 'Prabhudeva understands what makes people clap and whistle. He's clear about the entertainment he wants to deliver. This film is proof of that," he had said.
While Shahid's post-R… Rajkumar choices—such as Haider and Udta Punjab—earned him critical acclaim, this anecdote serves as a reminder of the behind-the-scenes drama that often accompanies stardom in Bollywood.
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