Arshad Warsi has shared a lesser-known chapter from his career, revealing that despite working closely with Amitabh Bachchan, the film they shot together never made it to theatres. Speaking to The Lallantop, the actor opened up about the unreleased project Zamaanat and his admiration for Bachchan’s dedication.
“I have worked with many stars, but my luck has been strange,” Warsi said. “For me, genuine stars are Dilip Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan. I shot an entire film with Amit ji, but it never released.”
Directed by the late S. Ramanathan, Zamaanat suffered repeated production halts and was ultimately shelved after the filmmaker passed away mid-way through the project.
‘Keep Doing The Shot Till You’re Satisfied’: Bachchan’s Work
Ethic
Recalling a courtroom sequence shot in Hyderabad, Warsi described the sheer scale of the setup — hundreds of protestors lying on the road under harsh sunlight, while Bachchan delivered a long monologue.
“Amit ji gave around 10–12 takes and finally said one of them was fine,” Warsi recalled. “We had just sat down when he suddenly said we should do one more take. I thought he was joking. He wasn’t.”
The entire sequence was reset again, something that left a lasting impression on Warsi. “That’s when I understood his mindset. He doesn’t stop until he is convinced.”
Arshad Warsi On Shah Rukh Khan: ‘A Gentleman Through And Through’
Warsi, who has worked with Shah Rukh Khan in Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaaye and is set to reunite with him in King, spoke warmly about SRK’s personality and professionalism.
“Shah Rukh knows his craft inside out. He has that old-school theatre discipline. He’s extremely polite, never raises his voice, and is very giving as a co-actor,” Warsi said, adding that he immediately agreed to King without hesitation.
“He has dignity. I truly believe when he says he’s the last of the stars.”
Salman Khan vs Shah Rukh Khan: ‘Bad Boy’ And ‘Gentleman’
Comparing the two Khan superstars, Warsi offered a candid take on Salman Khan and Shah Rukh’s contrasting public personas.
“Salman has that quintessential bad-boy aura,” he said. “Good-looking, rebellious. Shah Rukh, on the other hand, is a gentleman — more settled.”
However, Warsi was quick to clarify that Salman’s real personality is very different off-camera. “At home, he’s nothing like his public image. He jokes a lot, has fun. His entire family has a great sense of humour. They genuinely enjoy life.”
