Anil Kapoor recalls being overshadowed by Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar in Shakti: “People would go out of the theatre” : Bollywood News

When Ramesh Sippy's 1982 film Shakti brought together the legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar, it was a cinematic event of epic proportions. The film, considered one of the greatest Bollywood films ever made, was a box office smash hit and remains a beloved classic to this day. However, not many people know that a young Anil Kapoor, then just starting his career, also had a role in the film.

Anil Kapoor recalls being overshadowed by Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar in Shakti: “People would go out of the theatre”

In an earlier appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati, Kapoor recounted his experience on Kaun Banega Crorepati, revealing that despite his excitement about the role, the audience barely noticed him. He played the role of Amitabh Bachchan's son, and his character had two scenes: one at the beginning of the film and one after Dilip Kumar's character shoots him.

Kapoor said, "people would walk in late to watch the film so they would miss my scene. And after I got shot, people would go out of the theatre." He humorously added that some audience members would even say, "Arre ab kya film dekhni? Amit ji, jisko dekhne aaye the, woh toh guzar gaye (Why should we watch the film now? The man we came to watch, Amitabh Bachchan, is dead now)."

Despite going unnoticed in Shakti, Kapoor went on to become a major star in the 1980s with films like Mr. India. Interestingly, the role of the invisible hero in Mr. India was originally offered to Amitabh Bachchan, who declined it. As per Anita Padhye's book Yahi Rang, Yahi Roop, Bachchan reportedly felt that the invisible-man concept wouldn't work for him as his fans came to see him on screen.

Coming to the professional front, Anil is currently seen in Siddharth Anand’s Fighter, which also stars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. Meanwhile, Big B has a bunch of projects in his kitty including Nag Ashwin’s ambitious project, Kalki 2898 AD.

Also Read: Fighter duo Hrithik Roshan and Anil Kapoor strike a pose with IAF officers at Pune Air Force Station, see photos