Juhi Chawla recalls 1st meeting with Rishi Kapoor, says she and Aamir Khan were like junior artistes standing for pics

Juhi Chawla will be seen in Rishi Kapoor’s last film, Sharmaji Namkeen. In an exclusive chat with IndiaToday.in, the actress recalled their first meeting where Rishi was the ‘big star’, while she and Aamir Khan were standing on the side for pictures.

Juhi Chawla has worked with the late actor Rishi Kapoor in multiple films. But, her most special memory is working opposite him in Sharmaji Namkeen, which became Rishi Kapoor’s last film. In a recent conversation with IndiaToday.in, Juhi opened up about her memories of Rishi Kapoor and revealed details of their very first meeting.

Recalling her first-ever encounter with Rishi Kapoor, Juhi said, “I have known Chintuji (Rishi Kapoor’s nickname) for years because I have seen him throughout my career. I can just tell you instances. It was the music launch of QSQT and Nasir Saab had called him as the chief guest. He was the big star and Aamir (Khan) and I were like junior artistes standing there for pictures. Then I worked with him in one of our early films by Kalpataruji, I am forgetting the name, it was like Ghar Ghar Ki Kahaani. He used to make a lot of family dramas.”

Describing the first time she faced the camera with Rishi Kapoor, Juhi said, “That time I was very new and I am giving a shot with Chintuji, the camera is on me, I am shaking on my knees, if I forget a dialogue in front of him, I would have been like I hope the ground breaks and I get into it. I was so nervous! He was himself. He was like a star, effortless acting, first take okay. So, all the more you get nervous and pray God please help me! Just make sure this shot is okay. Then over the years I got to know him a little better. I also became a little more experienced in front of the camera, so it was okay. He was great fun and he loved playing crosswords. He was very good at them. He would demolish you and make fun of you also.”

Sharmaji Namkeen will release on Amazon Prime Video on March 31.