Shekhar Kapur Corrects ‘Barsaat’ Exit Narrative: “Thrown Out,” Not Walked

Director clarifies role in Bobby Deol’s debut, contrasting years of speculation

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has finally addressed persistent rumors about his departure from Bobby Deol‘s debut film, ‘Barsaat’. Contrary to popular belief that he voluntarily left the project, Kapur stated he was actually removed from the directorial duties.

Differing Creative Visions

**Kapur**, renowned for films like ‘Mr. India’ and ‘Masoom’, shared his perspective with Filmfare. He explained, “I never walked out, I have been thrown out of films. ‘Barsaat’ was an idea that was being developed and I think I wasn’t quite understanding Dharam ji’s (Dharmendra) ideas.”

Following his exit, **Sunny Deol** enlisted **Rajkumar Santoshi** to helm the film. “The next day I found out, he was directing it. That’s it. That’s all that happened,” **Kapur** recounted. He emphasized, “People say I walked out of it, but let me be honest, I didn’t walk out of it. Mind you, I immediately went and made ‘Bandit Queen’,” he added, highlighting his swift transition to another project.

Bobby Deol’s Recollection

For years, speculation suggested **Kapur** had filmed parts of ‘Barsaat’ before leaving. **Bobby Deol** himself echoed a similar sentiment in 2023 at the Jagran Film Festival, recalling 27 days of shooting before **Kapur**’s departure for ‘Bandit Queen’.

**Bobby Deol**’s father, **Dharmendra**, reportedly didn’t want to delay production. “My father told him that he didn’t want to delay it. And I think Rajkumar Santoshi was waiting to direct my film. I got lucky with him,” **Bobby Deol** had said.

During an appearance on ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ last year, **Bobby Deol** humorously suggested, “Maybe that’s why Shekhar ran away. Shekhar Kapur. He was scared.”

Commercial Success Amidst Changes

Despite the behind-the-scenes directorial changes, ‘Barsaat’, which also starred **Twinkle Khanna**, achieved significant commercial success. The film marked a strong Bollywood debut for **Bobby Deol**, solidifying his presence in the industry.

The film’s success is notable, as Bollywood debuts often face intense scrutiny. In 2024, data indicated that the average opening weekend collection for debut films in India was around ₹15 crore, showcasing the competitive landscape newcomers navigate.¹