Veteran actor Yatin Karyekar, who worked with Kamal Haasan in Hey Ram and Vasool Raja MBBS, has made strong claims about the superstar’s behaviour on set. Karyekar said Haasan’s focus on protecting his on-screen image led to major changes in the Tamil remake of Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., including removing a key slapping scene.
Karyekar, who played Anand Bhai in both the Hindi original and the Tamil remake, shared his experience in an interview with Siddharth Kannan. He did not hold back while talking about the 2004 film Vasool Raja MBBS, where Kamal Haasan took on the role originally played by Sanjay Dutt.
Co-Star Says Kamal Haasan Replaced Slap With Push
The most striking claim Karyekar made was about a scene from the original Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. In the Hindi version, Jimmy Shergill’s character slaps Sanjay Dutt’s Munna. This moment was important to the story. But according to Karyekar, things did not go the same way during the Tamil remake shoot.
“Kamal Haasan is very self-obsessed. We were shooting for Vasool Raja MBBS. The scene where Jimmy Shergill slaps Sanjay Dutt in the Hindi version was being recreated in Tamil, but he didn’t let that scene happen. He replaced the slap with a push.”
Karyekar said the assistant director looked visibly tense while the change was being discussed. He himself was surprised by the decision and remembered wondering, “When a Sanjay Dutt can do it, what is this man’s problem?”
Father-Son Relationship Lost Its Emotional Impact
Karyekar also pointed out that the Tamil remake lost the emotional depth that made the original film so special. In Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Sunil Dutt’s performance as Munna’s father brought a strong sense of authority. This made the father-son relationship one of the film’s biggest emotional strengths.
But in Vasool Raja MBBS, Karyekar felt things were different. He said there was no actor who could bring the same commanding presence opposite Kamal Haasan.
“Nobody could say, ‘Ae, jaa na,’ to Kamal Haasan in the role of his father in the film.”
He believed the relationship came across as more light-hearted and comedic rather than emotionally intense like it was in the Hindi version.
Controversy Was Part of Kamal Haasan’s Approach, Says Karyekar
Karyekar also made claims about how Kamal Haasan handled his public image. He said the actor deliberately courted controversy because he believed it helped keep the spotlight on himself and his films.
He recalled an incident during the shooting of Hey Ram where Kamal Haasan sat in front of an aeroplane to protest a flight delay. This episode received significant media attention.
“He once sat in front of the airplane and refused to move when the flight was delayed. That created headlines and his movie received publicity.”
Karyekar said this was not an isolated incident. He felt it reflected Kamal’s way of thinking. While he acknowledged that people are complex, he believed Kamal had a habit of staying in the middle of controversies, something he did not agree with.
Karyekar Still Respects Kamal Haasan’s Talent
Despite all his criticism, Yatin Karyekar made it clear that he has immense respect for Kamal Haasan’s craft. He described him as a brilliant technician and filmmaker.
Karyekar expressed that while he disagreed with how Kamal handled his public image, he could not overlook the talent the veteran actor brings to his craft.
About Vasool Raja MBBS
Released in 2004, Vasool Raja MBBS brought Rajkumar Hirani’s much-loved Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. to Tamil audiences. Directed by Saran, the film starred Kamal Haasan in the lead role, alongside Prabhu, Sneha, Prakash Raj, and Nagesh.
Yatin Karyekar and Rohini Hattangadi reprised the same roles they had played in the Hindi version. The film was a commercial success and remains popular among Tamil cinema fans.
Also Read:
What Kamal Haasan Has Said About Stardom
This comes after Kamal Haasan himself warned about the dangers of stardom. He had admitted that fame can distance actors from reality and create an echo chamber. His former co-star’s claims add a new layer to the ongoing conversation about how star power influences creative decisions in Indian cinema.
Stay connected with VvipTimes for the latest updates and breaking news from the world of entertainment. Bookmark us for quick access to trusted stories and in-depth coverage of your favourite stars.
