'Relay Race I Had To Complete', Paresh Rawal On Taking Rishi Kapoor's Role In Sharmaji Namkeen

Rishi Kapoor's swan song, Sharmaji Namkeen, released on March 31 this year and gave us all a chance to celebrate his presence on screen for the last time. The actor left for his heavenly abode in April 2020, after a long battle with cancer.

The shoot of Sharmaji Namkeen was still underway at the time when Rishi Kapoor breathed his last. To help finish the film, Paresh Rawal stepped in and shot for the remaining portions of Rishi Kapoor's role.

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Paresh Rawal On Sharmaji Namkeen

In an interview with TOI, Paresh Rawal was asked about his initial reaction when he was approached for the film. Responding to the question, he said that he had the responsibility of carrying forward the emotion that Rishi Kapoor had infused in the character. He also said that it felt a lot like a 'relay race that he had to complete'.

The actor said, "I had seen movies that were earlier made by the makers of 'Sharmaji Namkeen' and I always wanted to work with them. However, this movie came to me and then I got to know this movie is of Rishi Kapoor, which he has left in between and was stranded halfway. For me it was not completing the film, I had the responsibility to carry forward the emotion that Rishi ji had left incomplete. On the other hand, even the producer had invested a lot of money. So mujhse jo bhi yogdan hoga, I was ready for that. Hitesh Bhatia was sitting on this film for three years, so one has to understand his pain, his anxiety, and his trauma as he was coming up with his first big film. Another factor was the script. 'Sharmaji Namkeen' is a slice of life. So when the director is ready, the producer is ready, why should I be not ready? It was a challenge for me."

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Talking about the challenge that lied in front of him, the actor said, "The challenge for me was what Rishi saab had done, I should not be destroying that. Whatever he has sawed, without vandalising that, I need to carry it forward in a subtle way. In short, it was a relay race that I had to complete. These were the thoughts in my mind while I signed the film. And when I sat with them, it suddenly struck me that this is for the first time something like this is happening in Bollywood the same character is played by two different actors. So slowly it started unfolding and I started to realise the recuperations of the decision. So ultimately I was shouldering a bigger responsibility. I wanted to enjoy the character as an actor, we were also giving a tribute to Rishi ji, so there were so many things in the movie for me to deliver. But I am thankful for the script, which was so well written. Also, the director, other unit members, and the actors, all were so wonderful that I didn't feel the pressure."

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On Ranbir Kapoor's Input

Paresh Rawal was asked if Ranbir Kapoor gave him any inputs about playing the role of his father. To this, Paresh Rawal replied:

"Nothing, I didn't ask anyone about what Rishi ji had done. I had seen only one scene of his and that's it. My work was to deliver the character. Mujhe ulta bhi kardo, toh bhi main kahin se Rishi Kapoor nahi lag sakta. The Punjabiyat that Rishi Kapoor had in his skin, I can never get that. So I have to follow the spirit of the character and not simply imitate Rishi ji. It was an extremely thin line that I had to walk and that's the reason why I didn't see Rishi Kapoor's part and mannerisms. Fortunately... And when I say, fortunately, it means thanks to Hitesh Bhatia, he actually unburdened me with his vision."

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While talking about Sharmaji Namkeen in an earlier interview, Ranbir had thanked Paresh Rawal for taking up the challenge. The actor also expressed that deep down, he always wished that his father could complete the film.

Ranbir had said, "I am extremely grateful that an actor of Mr Paresh Rawal's caliber had stepped in and agreed to finish this film. I, being, an extremely big admirer of my father's work and seen the kind of passion and excitement he had for this character; perhaps that's why there is a part of me which always wanted that I hope he had finished this film."

The film's story revolves around a retired 58-year-old man named Brij Gopal Sharma, who begins a side business to keep himself busy. What results is a hilarious, heartwarming ride that serves a lot of sweetness, with a little 'namkeen'.

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