Rishi Kapoor Once Said 'Irrfan Ko Acting Nahi Aati'; A Controversial Statement That Surprised Many

Irrfan Khan was known for his powerful performances, subtle expressions, and natural acting style. But not everyone admired him instantly. During the shoot of the 2013 film D-Day, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor reportedly had a tough time adjusting to Irrfan’s way of acting. Director Nikkhil Advani recently opened up about this surprising moment in an interview, revealing a clash that many fans never knew about.

According to Nikkhil, Rishi Kapoor had heard a lot of praise about Irrfan’s talent before working with him. He came with expectations and curiosity. But when they finally shot a scene together, Rishi wasn’t impressed. Irrfan decided to improvise during the scene and didn’t stick to fixed lines or cues, which confused Rishi.

Nikkhil shared, “When they came together, Rishi Kapoor had heard that Irrfan Khan was this great actor. So he wanted to see it, and fortunately for me, they were doing this one scene where Irrfan decided to improvise. And Irrfan never ever gives the same cue again. So Rishi Kapoor called me and said, ‘Usko samjhao, usko acting nahi aati hai.’”

To handle the situation, Nikkhil explained Rishi’s part wouldn't be affected. He told him to speak his lines whenever he felt right and not worry about Irrfan’s unpredictable style. There was another challenge during the shoot in the Kutch desert. Rishi Kapoor didn’t want to stay overnight for an early morning scene. He wanted to return to his hotel after every day’s shoot. But it was Irrfan who convinced him otherwise.

Nikkhil shared, “He was refusing to comply with a morning shoot, but Irrfan managed to convince him to spend the night in the desert with us with the promise of Chicken Jungli and alcohol. It was a near-impossible feat in Kutch, but he delivered his promise, and I got my shot.”

Sadly, both legendary actors passed away in April 2020 — Irrfan on April 29 and Rishi Kapoor on April 30. Though their styles were different, their contributions to Indian cinema remain unforgettable.