Rishi Kapoor, who was last seen in Umesh Shukla's comedy-drama All is Well, will share screen space with actresses Juhi Chawla and Shabana Azmi in Jayant Gilatar's upcoming film, Chalk N Duster, which will see him in a special appearance as a quiz master.

The role, which was initially offered to Shah Rukh Khan and Manoj Bajpayee, but was tuned down by both the actors owing to prior commitments, eventually landed in Rishi's lap, on Shabana's appeal. The actress had requested to meet the actor and recalls the comforting response he gave her upon the discussion. “Lo yeh baat hai? Main samjha koi gambhir baat hogi! Of course I'll do it,“ Rishi had said, before hopping on board without asking any further questions.

“He teases Juhi endlessly on sets,“ says Azmi, adding that the senior Kapoor maintains a casual, but respectful demeanour with actors Divya Dutta and Arya Babbar.

Shabana has been a friend to Rishi and wife Neetu for several years, and adds that even today, their families are involved in each other's projects. “My mother Shaukat Kaifi used to work with Chintu's grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor, and now, Ranbir is the Goodwill Ambassador of my NGO,“ says the actress, adding that Zoya too had directed Rishi in her first film, Luck by Chance.

Director Jayant, who has previously worked as an assistant director in films like Gharana and Sindoor, which featured Rishi, is delighted to be casting the actor in his film. “Rishi sir brings a lot of energy on the set and his role is crucial to the climax of the film,“ he says, add ing that they have completed 80 per cent of the dubbing and are looking at a December release.

Shooting with the actor commenced at SJ Studios in Mumbai on Thursday, and is expected to wrap up on Saturday.