Veteran actress Padmini Kolhapure, known for her timeless performances, celebrates her 59th birthday on November 1. Among her iconic on-screen moments, one unforgettable story from the sets of Prem Rog (1982) stands out—the scene where she slapped Rishi Kapoor multiple times. The classic romantic film, directed by Raj Kapoor, featured Padmini and Rishi in one of Bollywood’s memorable love stories, capturing audiences with its emotional depth and iconic scenes. But behind one of those scenes was a funny on-set moment that stayed with the actors for years.
The Famous Prem Rog Slap Scene: A Director’s Demand for Perfection
Prem Rog narrates the poignant love story of Dev (played by Rishi Kapoor) and Manorama (played by Padmini Kolhapure), who face societal resistance and personal struggles. In a particularly intense scene, Padmini’s character slaps Dev, and Raj Kapoor, known for his perfectionist approach, wanted the scene to look as real as possible. Instead of using the usual staged technique, Raj Kapoor asked Padmini to deliver an actual slap.
Padmini later recalled how nervous she was about hitting her co-star. “In an action scene like this, you typically just sync the slap with the action, so it looks real but isn’t actually hard,” she shared in an interview. “But Raj Kapoor uncle insisted, saying, ‘No, I want it to look real. Slap him properly!’”
Though hesitant, Padmini followed the director’s instructions, and Rishi, ever the professional, encouraged her, saying, “Go ahead, slap me!” But it wasn’t just one take. Due to minor technical glitches, lighting issues, and camera adjustments, the slap scene took multiple retakes. By the end, Padmini had slapped Rishi about eight times, creating a memorable on-set experience.
Rishi Kapoor’s Hilarious “Revenge” and a Special Bond
Though Rishi laughed off the repeated slaps, he humorously mentioned to Padmini that he’d get his revenge someday. This “promise” came back years later when they were filming Raahi Badal Gaye, in which Rishi’s character had to slap Padmini. This time, though, he decided against dragging out the scene and nailed it in a single take, leaving both actors laughing about the previous incident.
This lighthearted rivalry added a unique layer to their friendship, one filled with mutual respect and playful banter. Their chemistry went beyond Prem Rog, as the duo starred in several other films together, including Yeh Ishq Nahi Aasaan, Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai, Pyaar Ke Kaabil, and Hawalat.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Bollywood’s Golden Era
Stories like these highlight the dedication and camaraderie among Bollywood actors, especially during the golden era of Hindi cinema. Padmini Kolhapure and Rishi Kapoor’s friendship and professionalism left a lasting impact on Bollywood, contributing to unforgettable films and off-screen memories.
