Director Sudhir Mishra praised Kareena Kapoor’s “outstanding” performance in ‘Chameli’ and said she “must have been paid more” than co-star Rahul Bose. He highlighted her professionalism and family legacy, crediting her instincts. The film follows a rainy night encounter between a banker and a street-smart sex worker in Mumbai.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s performance in ‘Chameli’, released in 2004, marked a pivotal moment in her career and changed Bollywood’s storytelling approach. Over twenty years later, the film is still celebrated for its authentic portrayal and emotional richness. Director Sudhir Mishra has often praised Kareena’s work, calling it “outstanding.”
Insights from Sudhir Mishra on Kareena’s performance
Sudhir Mishra recently joined Cyrus Broacha on his podcast and shared his thoughts on Kareena Kapoor’s performance. He said, “She’d come from popular cinema. So, she hadn’t worked with a script before. And there was some genetic playing in her mind, with Raj Kapoor (late legendary filmmaker-actor, her grandfather), her father (actor Randhir Kapoor), and Babita (Kapoor, mother and actor). So, her instinct was amazing.”
Kareena’s professionalism on set
Kareena Kapoor’s remarkable professionalism and on-set improvisation were so impressive that the director, Sudhir Mishra, instinctively changed the film’s entire approach to follow her lead.“One day, when I was shooting for her, she was so great I forgot to say cut. And she didn’t stop. Then she did something that I never told her. So, I realised her professionalism as an actor, as Raj Kapoor’s granddaughter, doesn’t allow her to stop till the director says cut. So then, she stays on. She improvised. So, I changed the whole way of doing the film. I kind of followed her. It’s just centred around this one person. And it worked”, the filmmaker revealed.
Kareena’s pay and producer’s role
Mishra revealed that Kareena “must have been paid more than” her male co-star Rahul Bose for ‘Chameli’. He explained, “That was up to Pritish (Nandy, producer). I wasn’t involved. Rangita Nandy (daughter) is the person that question should be asked to. But of course, she should’ve been paid more. That was her part”.
Plot overview of ‘Chameli’
‘Chameli’ revolves around a chance encounter on a rainy night in Mumbai between a wealthy investment banker, portrayed by Rahul Bose, and Chameli, a streetwise sex worker played by Kapoor. The story unfolds within just one night, highlighting themes of social inequality, personal pain, and the unexpected connections that can form between strangers. Go to Source
