For years, Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor were believed to share one of Bollywood’s most talked-about rivalries. Their reported differences, which began during the making of the 1989 classic Parinda, often made headlines. However, time appears to have healed old wounds, and the two veteran actors now seem to share a warm and respectful friendship.
In one of his earlier interviews, Nana Patekar surprised many when he included Anil Kapoor among the people he considers close friends in the film industry. Speaking fondly about the actor, Nana praised Anil’s dedication and passion for his craft.
Calling him a “nice chap,” Nana said that Anil continues to work as hard as ever. He also revealed that he was impressed by Anil Kapoor’s performance in Animal and personally told him how much he enjoyed it.
Nana recalled telling Anil that he had watched his work in the film, after which the actor eagerly asked for his opinion. According to Nana, he praised Anil’s restrained and powerful performance, saying he had done a remarkable job.
The warmth in Nana’s words stood in sharp contrast to the stories of their past disagreements.
The reported rift between the two actors dates back to the making of Parinda. Nana had once claimed that he was originally supposed to play the role that eventually went to Jackie Shroff, while Naseeruddin Shah was expected to portray the feared gangster Anna.
According to Nana, after Naseeruddin Shah stepped away from the project, he and Anil Kapoor spent months rehearsing together. However, he later came to believe that Anil had asked director Vidhu Vinod Chopra to remove him from the role because he feared Nana’s performance would overshadow him.
Recalling a later conversation with Anil, Nana shared that he directly asked him about the incident. He claimed that Anil jokingly admitted he did not want to make Nana a bigger star through the film. Nana, in his trademark candid style, replied that no matter which role he was given, he would still stand out.
Interestingly, after those developments, Vidhu Vinod Chopra reportedly approached Nana to play the role of Anna instead. Although he was initially upset, the actor eventually accepted the offer. He also insisted on rewriting parts of his character, which later became one of the most memorable performances of his career.
Despite the misunderstandings and professional rivalry, the relationship between Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor appears to have evolved over the years. Their mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s work now seem to have replaced the bitterness of the past.
Their story is a reminder that time can mend even the longest-running differences, and that professional competition does not always prevent genuine friendship from finding its way back.
