Sarah Shahi is looking back on her time on "The Sopranos" and a surprising revelation about the late James Gandolfini. The actress, known for her roles in "Sex/Life" and "Person of Interest," recently recalled that her on-screen kiss with Gandolfini was one of the best she has ever experienced.

Shahi appeared in the hit HBO series during its sixth season in 2007. She portrayed Sonya, a character who becomes involved with Tony Soprano during a pivotal trip to Las Vegas. Initially, Shahi admitted to having doubts about the scene's chemistry. She wondered how she would find attraction in a character portrayed by a 47-year-old, large, balding man. However, her concerns vanished once the cameras started rolling, describing the experience as one that worked remarkably well for her.

A significant factor in the scene's success was Gandolfini's commitment to method acting. To prepare for a scene where their characters consume psychedelic mushrooms, Gandolfini insisted on using props that would elicit a genuine physical reaction. According to Shahi, he requested that the dried mushrooms on set be heavily spiced so that their reaction would look authentic on camera.

The connection between the two actors proved to be so compelling that they struggled to break character. Shahi recounted that during the intimate scene, she was seated on Gandolfini's lap. When the director called "cut," the pair continued kissing. This happened repeatedly over the course of filming the scene, with both actors remaining in the moment despite the director's instructions to stop.

Shahi also shared a story highlighting Gandolfini's off-screen personality. After he failed to show up for their first day of filming together, he sent a dozen roses to her hotel room. The note reportedly apologized for his absence and encouraged her not to be nervous, signed affectionately, "Love, the fat man". When Shahi joked that she would have preferred a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, Gandolfini had a pair delivered to her room later that night.

James Gandolfini passed away in 2013 at the age of 51 due to a heart attack while on vacation in Italy. His portrayal of Tony Soprano remains one of the most celebrated performances in television history, earning him widespread critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. Shahi's recent reflections on their brief but memorable collaboration offer a new, intimate glimpse into the talent and charisma that defined Gandolfini's career.