Known for his straightforward remarks and sharp humour, Patekar entertained the audience with a lighthearted anecdote about his time on the set. Looking towards Prakash Jha during the interaction, the actor joked that he had actually been hired for two roles on the project.

“I was signed for two roles,” he said with a grin. “The first was the role I played in the series and the second was to cook for everyone on the set,” Patekar revealed that what began as a casual activity eventually became a routine for the team during the shoot. According to the actor, preparing food for the cast and crew after pack-up became a relaxing ritual that helped everyone unwind after long shooting days.

“Cooking food for everyone after pack-up became a ritual and I liked it,” he shared. “It was a good way to relieve the day’s stress.” While the atmosphere at the launch remained light and humorous, Patekar also used the opportunity to speak candidly about certain trends in the film industry. Known for his no-nonsense attitude, the actor took a subtle dig at performers who communicate with filmmakers through managers or agencies instead of interacting directly with them.

Referring to his working relationship with Jha, Patekar said he believes actors should personally respond when filmmakers reach out to them. “I think if Prakash calls me, it’s my responsibility as an actor to pick up the call and speak to him directly,” he said. “I feel bad about asking people to speak to my manager or my agency. We artistes, are here because of the filmmakers.”

The veteran actor went on to reflect on what he sees as an increasing culture of star power in the industry. According to him, many actors overestimate their influence, forgetting that filmmaking ultimately depends on strong storytelling and capable directors.

“Artistes have become so big that they think filmmakers cannot do anything without them,” he said. However, Patekar was quick to emphasise that the reality is quite the opposite. In his view, talented filmmakers can create compelling cinema even without big stars.

“But the truth is that he can make a film without any star and still make it a hit,” Patekar said, gesturing towards Jha. Summing up his thoughts, the actor stressed that the relationship between actors and filmmakers should be based on respect and understanding.

“We are dependent on filmmakers, not the other way around,” he concluded. The reunion between Patekar and Jha has generated curiosity among audiences, given the filmmaker’s reputation for politically charged narratives and socially relevant storytelling. With Sankalp promising an intense political drama, fans will be keen to see the duo collaborate once again on screen.