Leena Yadav on working with Rishi Kapoor: He’s very unfiltered in his opinions

Director Leena Yadav, who is working with actor Rishi Kapoor in her next film titled Rajma Chawal, says that it’s a joy to associate with him.

Working with veteran actor Rishi Kapoor is nothing short of a dream come true for many actors and filmmakers. And director Leena Yadav is no different. Currently shooting with Kapoor in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk area for her next film titled Rajma Chawal, Yadav is all praise for him.

Director Leena Yadav is currently shooting for her next, Rajma Chawal, starring Rishi Kapoor, in Delhi’s Chandni Chownk area.(Raajessh Kashyap/HT Photo)

While the senior actor is much known to be straightforward — a trait that he has often shown through his tweets — Yadav shares that’s he is equally fun to work with. “He is quite unfiltered [in his opinions]. He reveals whatever he feels. And I think that’s such a great quality to have. Working with him has been really, really nice and everyone in the crew is enjoying a lot,” says Yadav.

Rishi Kapoor spotted shooting for his upcoming film Rajma Chawal in Old Delhi. (Raajessh Kashyap/HT Photo)

The filmmaker states that shooting in the capital with Kapoor has been a great “learning experience” for her. “There is so much to learn from him [Rishi Kapoor]. When he talks about his past experiences, I love listening to him. He often talks about his journey whenever we are having lunch with him or in between shots. He would share anecdotes like, ‘uss time par aise hua karta tha’ or about some particular actors that he has worked with, and it’s mostly about his experiences in films.”

It’s gratifying as a director when your actors suggest improvisations. I am a very collaborative director that way. Whether it’s with the cameramen or the actors, I completely surrender to that collaboration.

Ruling out the notion that Kapoor is “tough” to work with, Yadav calls him “extremely professional”. Describing Kapoor as “interactive”, the filmmaker adds, “If he gets involved in the scene and if he wants to do it another way, we discuss it, and ultimately whatever I want, he does. But, I like the fact that he is involved and he thinks for the character, and suggests that maybe I would do this and not this. He offers inputs almost every time, and I like that. I like actors who discuss things.”

Unlike many filmmakers who don’t like actors interfering with their craft, Yadav says, “It’s gratifying as a director when your actors suggest improvisations. I am a very collaborative director that way. Whether it’s with the cameramen or the actors, I completely surrender to that collaboration. We can be in denial, but the reality is it’s a collaborative art and even if you think you’re the dictator, it’s not possible. For me, inputs are welcome from everybody and if anyone shows me a newer way of doing something, I’m always open to that.”

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