Renowned director Pankaj Parashar recently shared the surprising story behind casting Naseeruddin Shah in his 1986 hit film, ‘Jalwa,’ revealing that the acclaimed actor was jobless and initially mocked Parashar’s film plans.
Naseeruddin Shah’s Unexpected Crossroads
During the 1980s, Naseeruddin Shah was a towering figure in Indian parallel cinema, celebrated for his intense performances in films like ‘Manthan’ and ‘Aakrosh.’ He had just achieved international recognition, winning the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his role in ‘Paar,’ a film where he reportedly surpassed Robert De Niro.
Despite this critical acclaim, director Pankaj Parashar revealed a surprising detail: Naseeruddin Shah had no work at the time he was approached for ‘Jalwa.’ This stark contrast between his global recognition and professional situation made his eventual foray into mainstream cinema even more remarkable.
A Humorous Party Encounter
Pankaj Parashar vividly recalls a party where he encountered Naseeruddin Shah, who was sitting alone, seemingly inebriated. Shah, who had previously done voiceovers for Parashar’s popular TV series ‘Karamchand,’ inquired about the director’s next project.
When Parashar mentioned his upcoming film, ‘Tarzan,’ starring Hemant Birje and Kimi Katkar, Shah reacted with disbelief and mockery. He questioned Parashar’s choice, suggesting it was “crap” for a film school gold medalist to pursue such a project.
The ‘Tarzan’ Proposition
Amidst the playful banter and Shah’s continued drinking, the conversation took an unexpected turn. Shah, perhaps jokingly, proposed, “Do one thing — cast me as Tarzan.” Parashar initially dismissed the idea, assuming the actor was hallucinating.
However, the next day, Parashar recounted the incident to producer Gul Anand. Anand, recognizing the immense potential of casting an actor of Shah’s caliber, enthusiastically declared, “Naseeruddin Shah can play Mickey Mouse if he wants, call him!”
From Mockery to Movie Magic: The Birth of ‘Jalwa’
Naseeruddin Shah, surprisingly serious about the offer, committed to building his physique for the role, even suggesting he would join a gym. This commitment excited the producers, but Parashar had second thoughts about making ‘Tarzan.’
Gul Anand, with his keen commercial sense, proposed a new direction: remaking ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ with elements of ‘Commando’-style action, blended with Parashar’s ‘Karamchand’ touch. The idea of Naseeruddin Shah transforming physically for such a role was seen as a guaranteed attention-grabber. This innovative concept became the blueprint for ‘Jalwa.’
- Naseeruddin Shah was jobless despite winning an international award for ‘Paar’ just before ‘Jalwa.’
- He initially mocked director Pankaj Parashar’s plan to make ‘Tarzan.’
- The film ‘Jalwa’ evolved from a humorous suggestion by Shah and a strategic decision to remake ‘Beverly Hills Cop.’
‘Jalwa,’ co-starring Archana Puran Singh, went on to become a major box-office success, proving that unexpected collaborations can lead to cinematic triumphs.
