Parmeet Sethi regrets turning down negative roles after 'DDLJ'
What's the story
Parmeet Sethi, who is fondly remembered for his role as Kuljeet in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), recently opened up about his career struggles and role choices. Speaking to SCREEN, he revealed that he regretted turning down negative roles after DDLJ. The film is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. He also shared how Aditya Chopra's romantic drama influenced his career and revealed the advice he received from Chopra, which came a bit too late.
Typecasting troubles
Sethi rejected negative roles after 'DDLJ'
Sethi revealed that after DDLJ, he was offered roles as a villain's son or brother. "Immediately after that, I got Diljale, which again was a hit film. But, somewhere down the line, the kind of response I hoped for, that didn't come," he said. "All the roles that were offered to me after that were villain and negative roles... so I keep rejecting those." "As I realized 2-3 years down the line...once you're out of sight you're out of mind."
Career reflection
The advice he received from Chopra
Sethi later realized that rejecting these roles was a mistake. "A few years later, when Adi and I met, he said that you should have done everything that came your way." He quipped back, "You should have picked up the phone and told me this na, you are the experienced one, not me." Despite his initial resistance, he eventually accepted a few negative roles but felt "sidelined" as others feared his screen presence would overshadow the main villain.
Filmmaking insights
On working with Yash Chopra
Sethi also shared his experiences of working with the late filmmaker Yash Chopra. He praised Yash's filmmaking style and how he didn't interfere with his son's direction. "Yash ji didn't interfere even for a second, not even a single word when Adi was directing," he said. "The way he narrated the film to me shot by shot, he shot it exactly the same way, no difference at all."
Fond memories
When YRF treated him like family
Sethi fondly remembered Yash as a father figure on set. He recalled how Yash and his wife Pamela would bring homemade pasta and lasagna for the entire unit. "Not like today, 50 managers and 50 vans. These walls have been created now." He also shared some wisdom he received from Yash during Badmaash Company, including the advice that "Picture fail nahi hoti, budget fail hote hain."