Rishi Kapoor and Juhi Chawla will reunite onscreen for an upcoming film titled 'Sharmaji Namkeen'. Last seen in Emraan Hashmi’s 'The Body', this project marks his return to films after his cancer diagnosis, following which he sought treatment in the US. 'Sharmaji Namkeen' will also see the two actors share screen space again after 'Bol Radha Bol' (1992), 'Daraar' (1996), 'Eena Meena Deeka' (1994) and 'Saajan Ka Ghar' (1994), among others.
The film is directed by Hitesh Bhatia and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment alongside Honey Trehan's MacGuffin Pictures. The makers are yet to reveal the film's plot details. A report said, “Hitesh’s film is currently under pre-production. It will be shot from scratch and goes on the floors in Mumbai. This will be followed by a month-long schedule in Delhi in January.”
The film marks the reunion of Juhi and Rishi on screen after a long gap of 10 years. The two last worked together in Zoya Akhtar’s 'Luck By Chance' (2009). Recently, Rishi talked at length about young actors and asserted that craft should be the top priorities, not looks. “These days, budding actors are more interested in grooming and building their body. They focus on building muscles than emotional exercise, which is important for actors. Build your mind rather than your body when you prepare for acting, because if you have the acting skill, you will surely become an actor. If you don’t have that, you are replaceable. Look at me, do I have the body? But I am still working, because in every film I try to create a character.” he said.
“Okay, I maybe old, I do not inspire youngsters. But look at Ayushmann (Khurrana), Rajkummar Rao, Ranveer Singh, Vicky (Kaushal) and -- I’m not taking his name because he is my son - but Ranbir too is a talented actor! None of them have ‘dole-shole’ (muscles). Kyunki dole rahne se, kalakar nehi banoge. Bus gym mein paise phukega (Having muscles won’t ensure you will be an artist, you’ll only waste money in the gym). (Amitabh) Bachchan saab ko dekho (look at Mr Amitabh Bachchan), he did not have muscles. But even today, he is the original angry young man of Hindi cinema,” he added.
