Amol Palekar slapped Smita Patil: The actor said- there was a demand of the director, but I still regret it today

Amol Palekar and Smita Patil worked together in Shyam Benegal's film role in 1977. In a scene of this film, Amol slapped Smita without her permission, which she regrets. He himself revealed this in an event recently.

In Jaipur Sahitya Festival 2025, Amol Palekar said, 'During the shooting of the film role, we had to shoot a very important scene in which I had to show anger. But Shyam felt that I did not look so angry. So, before Tech, he called me separately and said Amol, slap him. I said that I will rehears it with Smita first, but Shyam refused. He said slap her without telling Smita. I immediately refused, but then they called it an order. '

Amol further said, 'Shooting started once again. I was confused and scared. I did not know whether Smita should be slapped without telling, because it was against my feeling. Well, then the shooting started and a moment came when I grabbed his hand and slapped him loudly. '

According to Amol Palekar, when Smita Patil suddenly slapped, she was shocked. But because Shyam Benigal did not say 'cut', both continued their acting.

According to Amol, it was clear on Smita's face that she could not believe that she would do so. But most, both of them were good actors, so they could not come out of their character, because Shyam did not say 'cut'. At the end of the shot, Amol went to Smita, apologized and started crying.