Actor Adi Irani has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood with several performances. Known for his role as Vicky Malhotra in Baazigar alongside Shah Rukh Khan and his portrayal of the villain Tiger Tadipaar in Anari No 1 with Govinda and Raveena Tandon, he has left a lasting impact on audiences.
In an interview, Adi Irani reflected on his experiences working with Bollywood icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Govinda. Reminiscing about his journey with Govinda, Adi shared that both of them started their careers around the same time.
“While we were not together from day one, our struggle in the industry started almost together. He used to visit the studio where I learnt dancing, and at that point, me and my friends used to make fun of his style of dancing. We had no idea that one day that particular style would blow up and he would be known for it; we were fools for laughing at him,” he said.
According to Adi, Govinda was a natural actor who preferred to do things his own way. He often altered scenes to ensure that he stood out, a trait that Adi didn’t mind. “He would read the scene and then would go on to change everything, and not just his role but also the way people were acting around him in a scene. He would try to change the scene in a way that would help him shine over others in the frame.”
Discussing Govinda’s on-set insecurities, Adi revealed that the actor was apprehensive about the portrayal of certain characters, including his own. He recalled how Govinda doubted his ability to play Tiger Tadipaar and suggested adding two more villains to the film. However, once he saw Adi’s look for the character, his concerns faded away. “He wasn’t convinced that I could play the role of Tiger Tadipaar in the film and suggested adding two other villains alongside me, but once he saw my look for the character, he felt confident that I could pull it off,” Adi said.
Adi Irani’s candid revelations provide an interesting glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Bollywood, highlighting the challenges, camaraderie, and unspoken rivalries that shape an actor’s journey in the industry.
