In a candid conversation on Faysal Quraishi’s podcast, veteran actor Adnan Shah Tipu delved into the highs and lows of his career, sharing a major regret that’s stuck with him over the years. Tipu, known for his versatile roles in Pakistani cinema and television, reflected on a missed opportunity to star opposite Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit in the 2014 film Dedh Ishqiya.
During the podcast, Faysal brought up the subject, asking Tipu, “You mentioned that you realised it wasn’t in your destiny to be in Dedh Ishqiya with Madhuri Dixit?” Tipu’s response shed light on the emotional journey behind his auditions for the role of Nawab, a character ultimately played by Vijay Raaz.
“I gave around nine or ten auditions for the character of Nawab,” Tipu recalled. “Vijay Raaz, who’s an amazing actor, eventually got the part. I even received a call from Vishal Bhai (referring to director Vishal Bhardwaj), who told me to prepare. But then Vishal Bhai went to Delhi for the final audition, and they said, ‘We can’t do it.’ It’s all about fate. When it’s meant to happen, it happens.”
Had the stars aligned differently, Tipu would have shared the screen with Madhuri, a pairing that undoubtedly would have been a defining moment in his career. However, Tipu remained philosophical about the experience, recognising that sometimes, things simply don’t fall into place.
Beyond this missed opportunity, the actor also touched on his connections within the Pakistani entertainment industry. Reflecting on his relationship with fellow star Imran Abbas, Tipu mentioned, “I have a good relationship with Imran, but we don’t meet often, and we rarely talk about work. There was this one time, though, when someone needed a specific type of role, and Imran said, ‘Only one person in Pakistan can do this: Tipu.’ It’s moments like these that remind me if something is meant to happen, it will.”
However, it wasn’t all about career regrets and missed chances. Tipu also recounted a surreal experience at the Cannes Film Festival, where he had a fleeting yet unforgettable encounter with none other than Hollywood legend Robert De Niro.
“I was heading up, wearing a tuxedo, and I see Robert De Niro,” the In Flames actor shared, still in awe of the moment. “You know how big of a fan I am of De Niro. He was coming down, and when he saw me, our eyes locked. I waved, and he waved back. I kept watching him, even as I walked up. It was like I knew him, like he was my friend or mentor. That moment was an experience I can’t even explain.”
