In a surprising revelation, veteran actor Rakesh Bedi has disclosed that his connection with superstar Sanjay Dutt dates back to the very beginning of Dutt's cinematic journey. Bedi, who plays a significant role in the recently released film 'Dhurandhar', shared that he was once cast in Dutt's iconic debut movie, 'Rocky'.
A Friendship Forged at the Start
While discussing his bond with his 'Dhurandhar' co-star, Bedi traced their relationship back to Dutt's entry into the film industry. "Me and Sanjay go back a very long way. I know him from the day he came. I was cast in his first film, Rocky. I got the offer," Bedi told NDTV. This little-known fact highlights that their association predates Sanjay Dutt's official debut as a leading man.
The Role That Slipped Away
However, fate had other plans. Bedi explained that he could not accept the part in the 1981 film due to a prior commitment. "I could not do that because I had some other commitment during that time," he stated. Despite missing this early opportunity to collaborate, the foundation for a lasting friendship was laid. "So I know him since that day. In between, I have also done a few films with him. And then when we met this time, we had a lot to talk about," Bedi added, referring to their reunion on the sets of 'Dhurandhar'.
Mutual Respect Defines Their Bond
Bedi went on to illustrate the depth of their relationship with a touching anecdote that underscores the mutual respect between them. He recalled how Dutt, who affectionately calls him 'brother', once corrected him for being overly formal. "One day I remember I asked him, 'How is Madam?' He got very upset with me... He said, 'Brother, you're saying Madam? I don't like it. She is your younger sister, your daughter-in-law. How can you say that? I don't like it.' There's a kind of respect and bond," Bedi shared, referring to Dutt's wife.
Bringing Humour to 'Dhurandhar'
Shifting focus to their latest project, Bedi spoke about his experience working on 'Dhurandhar', which hit cinemas on 5 December. His initial reading of the script left him impressed but concerned about its relentless intensity. "I remember one thing - initially, when I read the script, I found that the film is very intense. I won't call it grim, but very intense. It doesn't let you off the hook at all. But the humour was lacking," he observed.
Proactive in his approach, Bedi took his suggestion to add levity to the film's director, Aditya Dhar. "I told Aditya, I can feel some points where I can sprinkle some humour and wit, and definitely, there could be laughter," he said. The director was receptive, leading to a smooth and productive creative partnership.
Bedi clarified that the humour he infused was subtle, relying on nuance rather than dialogue. "It was a great bond between Aditya and me. And it's showing in the film. You'll find that there are many moments where I have tried to extract humour out of nothing, you can say. It's not in the dialogue as such. It's just maybe in a look or a laugh or one small gesture, and it was there," he explained. This collaboration highlights the veteran actor's enduring ability to shape his characters and contribute to a film's narrative texture.
