Shah Rukh Khan, the ‘King of Bollywood,’ has been ruling the Indian film industry for over three decades. His journey to stardom began with television serials and small film roles, but it was his breakthrough performance in ‘Deewana’ (1992) that catapulted him to fame. With his unique charm, wit, and acting prowess, he quickly became a household name, delivering iconic hits like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995), ‘Darr’ (1993), ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (1998), and ‘Devdas’ (2002).
Throughout his illustrious career, Shah Rukh has received numerous awards and accolades, making him one of the most awarded actors in Indian cinema.
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Interestingly, some of Shah Rukh's most iconic films were initially offered to other actors, but destiny had other plans. Shah Rukh ultimately took on the roles, and the outcome was cinematic magic. Here are some notable films where Shah Rukh wasn't the first choice, but went on to make them his own:
‘Don’: In a recent podcast interview with Raj Shammi, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar revealed a fascinating anecdote about the casting of his 2006 film, ‘Don.’Initially, Farhan had envisioned Hrithik Roshan as the perfect fit for the titular role, and even considered him his first choice. However, as he began writing the script, he found that only one actor's image kept popping into his mind - Shah Rukh. When Farhan shared his dilemma with Hrithik, the latter graciously told him to prioritise the film's needs and approach Shah Rukh. Ultimately, Farhan's instincts proved correct, as Shah Rukh's iconic performance in the film cemented his status as the quintessential Don.
‘Baazigar’: The 1993 thriller 'Baazigar' could have had a different lead actor if circumstances had unfolded differently. Initially, directors Abbas-Mustan offered the film to Anil Kapoor, who was busy shooting for 'Roop Ki Rani Choro Ka Raja' at the time. Anil declined the offer, after which producer Ratan Jain approached Salman Khan for the role. However, Salman's father, Salim Khan, deemed the script too intense for his son's career at that time reportedly and turned it down. It was only then that Abbas-Mustan approached Shah Rukh, who ultimately brought the complex character of Ajay Sharma to life with his memorable performance.
‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’: Shah Rukh Khan initially rejected the iconic role of Raj Malhotra in ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995), which then went to Saif Ali Khan. However, due to date issues, Saif was unable to commit to the project. It was only after Yash Chopra's persuasion that Shah Rukh reconsidered and eventually took on the role. The film's massive success exceeded expectations, becoming one of the longest-running films in Indian cinema’s history. DDLJ's impact on Shah Rukh's career was immense, establishing him as the ‘King of Romance’.
‘Swades’: Ashutosh Gowariker's critically acclaimed film ‘Swades’ (2004) was initially offered to Hrithik, who declined the role, feeling that the film's theme and tone weren't aligned with his interests, per reports. Gowariker then approached Shah Rukh Khan, who was drawn to the story's depth and nuance. SRK's portrayal of Mohan Bhargava, a NASA engineer who returns to his roots in India, earned him widespread critical acclaim and a Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
‘Chak De! India’: Salman Khan was initially offered the role of Kabir Khan in Shimit Amin's ‘Chak De! India’ (2007), but he turned it down. The role eventually went to Shah Rukh, who delivered a memorable performance as the determined hockey coach. In a later interview, Salman jokingly claimed that he rejected the film to give SRK a chance to shine in a great movie. On a more serious note, Salman explained that he was focused on commercial cinema.
Published: 09 Aug 2024, 03:06 pm IST
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