'My career is finished': Shakti Kapoor recalls wanting to leave Bollywood after SLAPS from Kader Khan and Aruna Irani knocked him to the ground

Veteran actor Shakti Kapoor recently shared an amusing yet unforgettable memory from the shooting of the 1983 blockbuster 'Mawaali'. The actor revealed that a series of hard-hitting slaps from co-stars Kader Khan and Aruna Irani left him so shaken that he seriously considered quitting the film industry altogether.Speaking on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', Shakti Kapoor recalled that he joined 'Mawaali' soon after tasting success with his comedy performance in 'Satte Pe Satta'. The film featured an ensemble cast led by Jeetendra, Sridevi, and Jaya Prada, and Shakti Kapoor was hopeful about the opportunity. However, things took an unexpected turn on the very first day of filming.“When I was giving my first shot in the film Kader Khan slapped me and I fell on the ground, then in the second shot Aruna Irani slapped me and I fell on the ground, the third time too the same happened.”The repeated slaps left the young actor deeply worried about his future in the industry. Kapoor admitted that he began doubting whether audiences would ever take him seriously after such scenes.“Going through this I got worried thinking that my career is finished. K. Bapaiah was directing the film and Kader Khan was also a part of the film. I went to Kader Khan and said to him, ‘I touch your feet please book my evening ticket. I don’t want to be a part of this film. My career is finished, and I’m not married yet’,” the actor recalled. At the time, the actor genuinely believed that the role could damage his prospects and end his career before it had properly taken off.Just when he was ready to leave the project, veteran action director Veeru Devgan stepped in with a piece of advice that would alter Kapoor's decision. According to the actor, Devgan encouraged him to stay focused on the bigger picture rather than worrying about individual scenes.“Then Veeru Devgan who was the fight master in the film took me aside and said I have watched this film and if you need to get slapped, then get slapped, but don’t leave,” Shakti Kapoor said. The advice proved invaluable. He stayed on, completed the film, and eventually received appreciation for his performance as 'Mawaali' emerged as a major box-office success.During the conversation, Kapoor also reflected on his early ambition of becoming a conventional leading man. Like many aspiring actors, he initially envisioned himself as the hero of mainstream films.“Everyone wishes to be a hero and I too had the same dream. I did 'Zakhmee Insaan' as the hero but unfortunately, the film didn’t work well. If a persoan is successful in doing comedy, then he is a hero and if a person is successful in making an impact with a negative character, then he is a hero too,” Kapoor added.Over the years, Kapoor carved a unique identity through comedy and villainous roles, proving that stardom is not limited to traditional hero characters. His journey remains one of the most distinctive success stories in Hindi cinema.