In 1992, Juhi Chawla had first collaborated with Rishi Kapoor on Bol Radha Bol. Having teamed up on multiple films since, Sharmaji Namkeen was to be another movie that would take their association forward. But fate had other plans. For Chawla, there’s a still sense of disbelief as she remembers her co-star who passed away in April 2020.

“I was shattered. Just a few months before [his demise], we were on sets, laughing together, as Chintu ji [Kapoor] was calling me an insecure actor. He would yell at me for watching my scenes on the monitor. I used to love it when he scolded us because that was his way of showing [love],” she recounts.

Hitesh Bhatia’s directorial venture revolves around the late actor’s character who, after retirement, finds his purpose in cooking. Chawla believes the role was “tailor-made” for the veteran actor. “Before we started shooting, we had reading sessions. As soon as Chintu ji came, he announced, ‘I will leave in half an hour. Amit ji [Amitabh Bachchan] has told me readings are a good thing. But I don’t do such things.’ When we began the reading, Chintu ji started enjoying it so much that he was the last one to leave,” she laughs, adding that it was sheer joy to see him bring his characters alive. “He was quirky, spontaneous and a great actor. He never stressed about rehearsals; he knew his lines would just flow.”

After the veteran actor’s passing, Paresh Rawal stepped in to complete his portions in the Amazon Prime Video film. “Hitesh told me that since this is Chintu ji’s last work, we will figure out a way to complete the film. We are grateful that Paresh ji agreed to step in.”