Anil Kapoor opens up on 'Yudh' jitters: dancing with Hema Malini was scarier than double role
Synopsis
Four decades later, Anil Kapoor still remembers the butterflies. Dancing with Hema Malini in 'Yudh' — the 1985 action thriller that marked Rajiv Rai's directorial debut — was far more intimidating for a young Kapoor than playing a dual role. The admission offers a rare glimpse into how star power and presence shaped early-career anxieties in Hindi cinema.
Key Takeaways
Anil Kapoor confessed that dancing with Hema Malini in 'Yudh' (1985) made him deeply nervous, more so than his dual role.
The film marked the directorial debut of Rajiv Rai and featured an ensemble including Jackie Shroff , Tina Munim , Pran , and Danny Denzongpa .
Kapoor described Hema Malini as the biggest star of the country at the time, with an intimidating larger-than-life presence.
Upcoming projects include Netflix's 'Family Business' , YRF's 'Alpha' with Alia Bhatt and Sharvari , and Shah Rukh Khan's 'King' directed by Siddharth Anand .
The confession comes 41 years after 'Yudh's theatrical release.
Anil Kapoor has revealed that working alongside Hema Malini in the 1985 action thriller 'Yudh' left him deeply nervous, despite the film marking his early career. On the 41st anniversary of the release, the veteran actor confessed that the dance sequences with the legendary actress proved far more daunting than his dual role in the film.
The confession on social media
Sharing a still from their dance number, Kapoor wrote on social media: "41 years of Yudh and I still can't forget this moment... Playing a double role was a breeze compared to dancing with Hema ji — That aspect of Yudh had me seriously nervous! She was already the biggest star of the country, with that larger-than-life presence… and there I was, a skinny young boy just spouting 'Jhakaas' and trying to keep up!" The candid admission underscores how intimidating it was for a young Kapoor to share screen space with one of Hindi cinema's most formidable talents.
About 'Yudh'
'Yudh' marked the directorial debut of Rajiv Rai, son of producer Gulshan Rai. The ensemble cast featured Jackie Shroff, Tina Munim, Pran, Danny Denzongpa, and Nutan in key roles, with Hema Malini and Shatrughan Sinha making special appearances. The film was positioned as an action thriller and became a notable entry in Kapoor's filmography during the mid-1980s.
Kapoor's upcoming projects
Anil Kapoor has a robust slate of releases lined up. He will feature in the Netflix series 'Family Business', alongside Vijay Varma, Rhea Chakraborty, Neha Dhupia, and Dhruv Sehgal. Additionally, he has been cast in YRF's 'Alpha', directed by Shiv Rawail and headlined by Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. The action film is positioned as the first female-led instalment in the YRF Spy Universe, with supporting roles from Bobby Deol, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, and Debanjan Chatterjee.
The 'King' connection
Kapoor has also joined Shah Rukh Khan's highly anticipated film 'King', directed by Siddharth Anand. The project marks SRK's on-screen pairing with his daughter Suhana Khan. The ensemble includes Abhishek Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, Rani Mukerji, Jaideep Ahlawat, Raghav Juyal, and Abhay Verma. With multiple high-profile projects in the pipeline, Kapoor continues to remain a sought-after presence in Hindi cinema.
Point of View
And for a young actor trying to establish himself, that asymmetry was palpable. The anecdote also underscores how physical performance — dance in particular — amplified vulnerability on set. Forty-one years on, that nervousness still registers as vivid, suggesting the moment left a deeper imprint than the film's commercial fortunes ever did.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anil Kapoor say about dancing with Hema Malini in 'Yudh'?
Anil Kapoor confessed that dancing with Hema Malini was far more nerve-wracking than playing a double role in the 1985 film. He described her as the biggest star of the country at the time, with an intimidating larger-than-life presence, and admitted he felt like a skinny young boy trying to keep up.
When was 'Yudh' released and who directed it?
'Yudh' was released in 1985 and marked the directorial debut of Rajiv Rai, son of producer Gulshan Rai. The film was positioned as an action thriller with an ensemble cast.
Who else starred in 'Yudh' alongside Anil Kapoor and Hema Malini?
The film featured Jackie Shroff, Tina Munim, Pran, Danny Denzongpa, and Nutan in key roles, with Hema Malini and Shatrughan Sinha making special appearances.
What are Anil Kapoor's upcoming projects?
Anil Kapoor has multiple projects in the pipeline: Netflix's 'Family Business' co-starring Vijay Varma and Rhea Chakraborty, YRF's 'Alpha' with Alia Bhatt and Sharvari directed by Shiv Rawail, and Shah Rukh Khan's 'King' directed by Siddharth Anand, which marks SRK's on-screen pairing with daughter Suhana Khan.
Why did Anil Kapoor open up about 'Yudh' now?
Anil Kapoor shared the confession on the 41st anniversary of 'Yudh's' release, posting a still from the dance sequence on social media. The milestone prompted him to reflect on a formative moment in his early career.
