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Rajesh Kumar Says Bollywood Sets Run on a Class System That Shuts Out Supporting Actors

His remarks spotlight star-centered sets that sideline supporting performers.

Overview

  • Actor Rajesh Kumar, speaking in a recent chat on Aftab Puttoo’s YouTube channel, said many Bollywood sets follow a class system that keeps supporting actors at arm’s length.
  • He said scene discussions on big productions stay with four or five people — the director, cinematographer, lead actors and the lead writer — while others’ input does not count.
  • He added that many stars no longer rehearse with secondary cast and that some give lines at the last moment, which he said weakens performances.
  • Sharing his own experience, he recalled a “great actor” who would not face him on set and refused rehearsals, passing notes through an assistant.
  • He pointed to counterexamples, praising Dimple Kapadia’s interest in co-actors, saying he has heard Amitabh Bachchan rehearses with the full cast, and calling Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara set collaborative.