Karan Malhotra recalls how Rishi Kapoor always wanted Ranbir to do bigger films, says ‘Wish Chintu uncle was here to see Shamshera’

Karan Malhotra made his debut as a director with the action drama Agneepath, starring Sanjay Dutt, Rishi Kapoor, and Hrithik Roshan. Ten years later, he is collaborating on Shamshera alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi’s son. He is the only director to have collaborated on many films with the father-son duo. In a recent chat, the director shared about his bond with Rishi Kapoor and how grateful he is that he got to work with him.

Karan remembered the late actor and said, "I feel very fortunate because working with Rishi Kapoor was a magical experience. I miss him even today. He was not just an actor but a collaborator of a different kind. We had arguments, discussions, and fights every day on set. We would even challenge each other’s thought processes. He never treated me like a first-time director but as an equal. I miss the madness on set with him every single day."

Further talking about his experience working with both father and son, he said, "Ranbir and Chintu uncle are very different but their work ethics are similar. They both surrender to the vision of the director."

The Brothers director added, "Having said that, when Ranbir came on board the film, Chintu uncle called me and congratulated saying that this would be a fun experience. I really wish he was there today to see Ranbir as Shamshera. Chintu uncle always wanted Ranbir to do larger-than-life and mass films. Shamshera in that sense is Ranbir's first what we call Hindi cinema film.”

Shamshera stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, and Vaani Kapoor in pivotal roles. The flick is slated to release in theatres on July 22, 2022.