📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bollywood Hungama
Entertainment
Anil Kapoor recalls battling for screen time on ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha’ set
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 26 Aug 2026, 06:18 AM
👁 2
The veteran actor revealed he felt insecure and had to fight for visibility while shooting the 1999 film ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha’.
Anil Kapoor, who rose to stardom in the early 2000s, opened up about his early days during a recent interview with The Indian Express. He recalled the 1999 romantic drama ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha’, which featured him alongside co‑star Rani Mukerji, as a turning point that also tested his confidence on set.
"I got insecure," Kapoor said, describing how he constantly vied for screen presence while the camera rolled. He explained that, as a relatively new face, he had to assert himself during rehearsals and take‑offs, fearing that limited exposure could stall his budding career.
The actor noted that the struggle was not merely personal; it reflected the competitive nature of Bollywood at the time, where emerging talents often jostled for the director’s attention. Despite the pressure, Kapoor’s performance in the film earned him recognition and paved the way for later blockbusters such as ‘Koi... Mil Gaya’ and ‘Devdas’.
Looking back, Kapoor said the experience taught him resilience and the importance of seizing every moment in front of the camera, lessons he continues to apply in his long‑standing career.
"I got insecure," Kapoor said, describing how he constantly vied for screen presence while the camera rolled. He explained that, as a relatively new face, he had to assert himself during rehearsals and take‑offs, fearing that limited exposure could stall his budding career.
The actor noted that the struggle was not merely personal; it reflected the competitive nature of Bollywood at the time, where emerging talents often jostled for the director’s attention. Despite the pressure, Kapoor’s performance in the film earned him recognition and paved the way for later blockbusters such as ‘Koi... Mil Gaya’ and ‘Devdas’.
Looking back, Kapoor said the experience taught him resilience and the importance of seizing every moment in front of the camera, lessons he continues to apply in his long‑standing career.