When Irrfan Khan Lost His Cool with Om Puri & Naseeruddin Shah on the Sets of Maqbool — Deepak Dobriyal Recalls the Explosive Episode

Veteran actor Deepak Dobriyal recently broke his silence on a lesser-known but dramatic moment from the set of Maqbool, where Irrfan Khan — normally the epitome of grace and restraint — reportedly erupted in anger at Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah. The cause? A small incident involving the pronunciation of a single word: “haveli.”

A Simple Word, A Big Explosion

According to Dobriyal, the scene in question involved Piyush Mishra’s character’s corpse being brought to Irrfan’s home. When someone asks where “the body” was found, Om Puri delivers the line saying it was “in the backyard of the haveli.” But he pronounces “haveli” with a slight Punjabi accent. Then Naseeruddin Shah joins in, delivering a slightly different version. What seems innocent in hindsight turned irritating in the moment — especially for Irrfan, who was deep in his character’s grief. Multiple takes and light laughter from the set disrupted the emotional flow.

The Breaking Point

Tired of retakes and unable to sustain the mood, Irrfan Khan “lost it” — unleashing an expletive during a take, directed at neither Om Puri nor Naseeruddin Shah personally, but more at the disruption. The two veterans were taken aback; the set suddenly became serious. According to Dobriyal, immediately after the outburst, Irrfan apologised, saying, “I thought abusing would help me act.”

The Aftermath: Respect, Shock, and the Shot Done

Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah reportedly froze. For a few moments, the atmosphere on set was heavy with shock. But the episode had its purpose: after that outburst, the tone settled, the actors regained their composure, and the rest of the filming proceeded without further issue. The shot was successfully completed.

A Controversial Glimpse Behind the Scenes

Industry insiders and fans alike are now debating what this moment reveals. Was Irrfan’s outburst justified, a legitimate break from charm to preserve artistic integrity? Or was it disrespectful to terrorize veteran actors just for a line pronunciation? Some say his apology makes up for the incident; others argue that using abuse — even under pressure — highlights a deeper fault line in how serious actors handle disruptions.

What It Says About Acting & Ego in Bollywood

This episode lays bare an uncomfortable truth: even the most admired actors have limits. The line between passion and temper, between tunnel-vision performance and emotional overload, can blur. For someone like Irrfan Khan — usually soft-spoken, revered — this moment disrupts the pedestal. It asks: how far is too far when preserving the sanctity of a craft?

Controversial Take: Some believe Dobriyal’s recounting of this incident subtly tarnishes the legend of Irrfan Khan, painting a man pushed too far, rather than always dignified. Others insist it's precisely these raw moments — anger, apology, shock — that humanize icons, reminding us they are imperfect.