When Shashi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor gave a tough time to Tinnu Anand, director recalled, ‘On verge of nervous breakdown…’

Tinnu Anand reveals the challenges he had while filming a film with two superstars because of their conflicting schecdule. Read inside.

In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood, it’s only the film that we get to see as the audience, but the chaos and struggles that happen behind the scenes never meet the eye. One such similar tale happened with a veteran filmmaker, Tinnu Anand, who faced challenges, sometimes even with the very stars who bring their stories to life. Veteran actor and director Tinnu Anand, the man behind hits like Kaalia, Shahenshah, Main Azaad Hoon and Major Saab, recently opened up about such a testing phase from his early career—a story that involved none other than Shashi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor.

Tinnu Anand’s Debut and more.

Tinnu Anand made his directorial debut in 1979 with Duniya Meri Jeb Mein. The film featured Shashi Kapoor and his nephew Rishi Kapoor as brothers. Although for the world, it seemed like a dream casting, the reality was far from this. Their conflicting schedules soon turned into a nightmare for the debutant director. Recalling those days, Anand said with a laugh, “I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The two of them were never together on set for even two hours. I kept wondering what would happen next.”

Shashi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor’s conflicting schedule

Tinnu further revealed that the problem was the timing. Shashi Kapoor’s contract allowed him to shoot only for two hours in the early morning. “Shashi Kapoor’s contract stated that he would only shoot from 7 to 9 in the morning, which meant just a two-hour shift.” Rishi Kapoor, however, worked on an entirely different schedule. “Rishi used to say that he would arrive at 10 in the morning and leave by 6 in the evening.” Because of this, bringing both actors together for crucial scenes became nearly impossible, leaving Tinnu Anand mentally exhausted.

However, during this time, action director Veeru Devgan came to Anand’s rescue. Anand recalled, “Veeru ji came to know about my condition. He asked me when the fight scene between the two was scheduled. I said, ‘Next week.’ Then he said, ‘Don’t worry, we will manage it.’”

Keeping his word, Veeru Devgan found out a solution to shoot the fight sequence even without both actors being present at the same time, using doubles and camera tricks. Anand admits, “That day I learned the real lesson of filmmaking. I learned more from Veeru Devgan than from Satyajit Ray.”

Although now Tinnu is away from active direction, his hunger for storytelling remains alive. He revealed that he is keen on writing a sequel to his blockbuster Shahenshah, the film that had once redefined Amitabh Bachchan’s “Angry Young Man” image.

Story Highlights:

Tinnu Anand made his directorial debut in 1979 with Duniya Meri Jeb Mein.
Duniya Meri Jeb Mein featured Shashi Kapoor and his nephew Rishi Kapoor as brothers.
Veeru Devgan helped Tinnu Anand in filming that film