Amol Palekar, the renowned Indian actor, recently shared a powerful and emotional recollection from the set of the iconic 1977 film Bhumika during the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025. The actor opened up about a scene in which he slapped his co-star, Smita Patil, without her prior consent. This unscripted moment, which took place under the direction of Shyam Benegal, has remained a poignant memory for Palekar.
A Director’s Order and a Deeply Uncomfortable Moment
While filming Bhumika, Palekar found himself in an uncomfortable position when director Shyam Benegal felt that his performance lacked the necessary intensity for a key scene. According to Palekar, Benegal approached him before the take and asked him to slap Patil in order to bring out more violence in the scene. Though Palekar preferred to rehearse every scene, especially those involving emotional intensity, Benegal instructed him to go ahead with the slap without informing Patil in advance.
Despite his reservations, Palekar reluctantly agreed, but he insisted on rehearsing the moment with Patil. Benegal, however, refused to allow a rehearsal and insisted that Palekar proceed with the slap without warning his co-star. Benegal even went as far as to call it an “order.”
The Impact of the Slap
The take proceeded, and Palekar delivered the slap, but what followed was not what anyone expected. Smita Patil, who was known for her brilliant acting and professionalism, displayed a mixture of disbelief, anger, and humiliation. Palekar, visibly shaken by the situation, recounted the emotional toll the incident took on both actors.
“I was confused and scared,” Palekar admitted. “I didn’t know whether I should slap Smita without telling her. It went against my nature.” After the shot, Palekar immediately apologized to Patil, deeply regretting his actions. Both actors were moved to tears during the apology, with Smita hugging him and crying as they both tried to process the emotional weight of the moment.
A Change of Perspective
He emphasized that while the scene required a certain level of intensity, violence should never be a part of the creative process without mutual understanding and consent. “I regret it deeply,” he said, noting that he would never repeat such behavior in his career.
About ‘Bhumika’
Shyam Benegal directed Bhumika, a classic film based on the Marathi-language memoir Sangtye Aika by actress Hansa Wadkar. The film stars Smita Patil in the lead role, portraying the complex journey of a woman searching for her identity and self-fulfillment. Palekar’s role in the film was integral, but this behind-the-scenes incident remains one of the most significant memories from the production.
Amol Palekar’s Recent Work
Amol Palekar has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in Indian cinema. Recently, he starred in the film Gulmohar, which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar. The film features a stellar cast, including Sharmila Tagore, Manoj Bajpayee, Simran, and Suraj Sharma. Known for his nuanced performances, Palekar remains a respected figure in the industry, with his legacy continuing to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.
