Sharmaji Namkeen Trailer Talk: Rishi Kapoor’s Swansong

What happens when two actors play one character? What happens when one actor takes upon a character to finish the portions the other wasn't able to? Paresh Rawal steps in where the late Rishi Kapoor steps out as the central character in director Hitesh Bhatia's Sharmaji Namkeen.

The trailer of the film begins with shots of Rishi Kapoor, followed by Paresh Rawal, as Sharma ji, a retired man trying to reinstill a sense of passion in his life. A working man all his life, he attempts to seek happiness with something new – only to get recommendations including dog-sitting, trying yoga or getting driving classes, which seem practical on the outset but don't excite him. What does though, is cooking – an art he gets to pursue through a kitty party in town. He finds solace, joy and unlikely friendships in the otherwise all-women's club. The only glitch? His sons – and the society – disapprove of his newfound job. There begins his coming-of-age journey. There's no age for coming-of-age, after all.

Kapoor had been shooting for the film when his health started deteriorating. Post his death, the makers decided to finish his remaining scenes with Rawal as a tribute to Kapoor's four-decade long legacy, and what would go on to be his final appearance in a movie.

Produced by Excel Entertainment and MacGuffin Pictures, the film's star cast includes Juhi Chawla, Satish Kaushik, Sheeba Chaddha and Isha Talwar, among others. It premieres digitally on Amazon Prime Video on March 31.