'Anil Sir does not like to be reminded': Anil Kapoor refuses to discuss his past work on sets, reveals 'Subedaar' director Suresh Triveni

Director Suresh Triveni mentioned that Anil Kapoor agreed to be in ‘Subedaar’ almost immediately after hearing a brief one-line idea. He spoke highly of the actor’s professionalism, noting that Kapoor approached the role with precision, maintained thorough notes on his character and kept his focus entirely on the present rather than his past performances.In a conversation with Mid-day, Suresh Triveni recalled a rare instance when Anil didn’t think twice before agreeing to ‘Subedaar’. The filmmaker said, “Our man said yes and then asked, ‘Kab banana hai? (When do we make it?)” - describing the spontaneous phone call that sealed the deal. Triveni described Anil Kapoor as an actor who has, over the years, adapted himself beautifully to diverse roles. He noted that while audiences may remember iconic performances like ‘Munna’ from ‘Tezaab’ (1988) or ‘Mr India’ (1987), it is Kapoor’s inherently cinematic presence that inspired him. The director added that this inspiration led him to create a story about a man of the soil, which marked the beginning of ‘Subedaar’.“Anil Sir does not like to be reminded about his past work. He says, ‘Tell me about today and tomorrow. Don’t tell me about yesterday. And I’m not kidding’,” he says. The director also mentioned that Anil is extremely particular about the details of his character. He keeps a record book noting aspects like hair and moustache growth and even maintains a diary, a habit well-known to his team. This level of professionalism, the filmmaker said, made it possible to shoot the film in just 44 days.The Prime Video film, featuring Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan, portrays the journey of a retired army officer as he adjusts to life beyond the uniform. Director Suresh Triveni shared that the character was inspired by Kapoor’s unforgettable roles from the 1980s.