Can’t do that now’: Neha Dhupia looks back at working without scripts during the making of Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Singh Is Kinng’

Neha Dhupia recently opened up about how Hindi film sets have transformed over the years, especially when it comes to preparation and structure. Having spent over 20 years in the industry, the actress has collaborated with noted filmmakers such as Anees Bazmee, Priyadarshan, and Apoorva Lakhia. She shared insights into a time when spontaneity often replaced detailed scripting.

Neha Dhupia on the changing dynamics of film sets

Speaking to Mid-day, Neha talked about the contrast between earlier and present-day filmmaking, she also explained how actors once relied heavily on trust and instinct. “It’s very different now. There is good to amazing content. Nobody is greenlighting bad content. I have been on sets where there were no scripts, but you have faith,” she said. Reflecting on her experience in ‘Singh Is Kinng’, she added, “Singh Is Kinng was a big film and it did really well, but the script lay in the director's hand, and on that day, you would get the scene.”




Highlighting Anees Bazmee’s working style, Neha pointed out how improvisation played a big role during filming. “Singh Is Kinng is so hilarious. There were times when the AD would give the scenes while Anees was choreographing it. But he gets it right. Now, I don't think you can do that. There are so many people from so many places who come in,” she remarked.

Neha Dhupia revisits the ‘De Dana Dan’ shoot

The actress also recalled an intense sequence from ‘De Dana Dan’, directed by Priyadarshan, describing how technically demanding the shoot was. “I did a movie like De Dana Dan with Priyadarshan. There was this massive scene where the hotel gets flooded. We were like, what do we do? And he said there will be water coming out. It was one of the most difficult action scenes we did because there were so many of us floating. And it’s not an AI post, none of it. It’s real-time. I had a line with Rajpal Yadav, and I was like, how will I go ahead with it? He was like, when he lands, you quip it. He was pushed towards me and went ahead with saying his line. I was just baffled at how precise things were. It’s a vibe now; things have changed. Most people I’ve worked with are extremely punctual.”

For those unaware, ‘De Dana Dan’ starred Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal, and remains one of Bollywood’s popular comedy entertainers.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”