Before becoming an actor, Aamir Khan worked as an assistant director on several films, including his uncle Nasir Hussain’s films like Manzil Manzil (1984) and Zabardast (1985). In an interview with The Lallantop, Aamir recalled an incident on the set of Zabardast when the late actor Amrish Puri scolded him harshly for pointing out a continuity error. However, a few minutes later, Puri apologised to him.
Recalling the incident involving Amrish Puri, Aamir said, “I was very sharp in continuity. There was a shot in which he was forgetting his lines and continuity. Unka haath telephone par hona tha. Hence, he was getting a bit irritated, it happens.”
The actor added, “I used to point out that his hand needs to be on the phone. He was forgetting the continuity each time, so after a few rehearsals and takes, he said, ‘Haan haan pata hai, haath phone par, baar baar bolrahe ho.’ His voice was heavy, like a motorcycle, khat khat khat khat!”
‘Mujhe bada bura laga aur gussa bhi aaya’
Sunny Deol and Amrish Puri in Zabardast. (Express archive photo)
Aamir Khan went silent on the set after the incident. “I am not able to speak in that bass. When he scolded me harshly, there was pin drop silence on the set. Everyone’s eyes were on me. Mujhe bada bura laga aur gussa bhi aaya. I was doing my work and telling the right thing, why am I getting scolded for that? Main chup hokar baith gaya,” he shared.
However, Amrish Puri later apologised after Nasir Hussain’s wise response. “There was silence on the set for 5-7 seconds. After that, Nasir sahab ki awaaz aayi. He didn’t want to disturb the actor. There was a shot pending and he couldn’t even resist the fact that his assistant got scolded by him. He said, ‘Amrish ji, I told my assistant that even if the actor scolds you, vo apna kaam karein. Amrish ji instantly said, ‘Sorry beta,’” he concluded.
Directed by Nasir Hussain, Zabardasti also starred Sanjeev Kumar, Sunny Deol, Rajiv Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri and Jaya Prada.
