Shah Rukh Khan was the first choice for the character of Arun Saxena in Harry Baweja’s 1994 action blockbuster Dilwale. The role was eventually played by Ajay Devgn.
Ajay Devgn-Raveena Tandon-Suniel Shetty starrer Dilwale was one of the biggest hits of 1994. Helmed by Harry Baweja, the romantic action film is still remembered for Ajay Devgn‘s impressive act and Nadeem-Shravan’s melodious songs.
But do you know that Shah Rukh Khan was the first choice for the role of Arun Saxena while Suniel Shetty’s character Vikram Singh was offered to Ajay Devgn?
Recently in an interview, Dilwale writer Karan Razdan revealed that he had narrated the film’s script to King Khan. The superstar had even liked it except for the climax where he felt the heroine should end up with the other guy. When Razdan refused to change the film’s climax, SRK turned down the offer.
“The role that I gave to Ajay Devgn in the film Dilwale, was originally wrote for Shah Rukh Khan. I had gone to his house to narrate the story and he had liked the script. He just told me one thing, ‘Karan, at the end, the heroine should go with the other guy.’ I refused to change my film’s end. He refused to do it,” he recalled.
After Shah Rukh’s refusal, Karan offered that role to Ajay Devgn who readily accepted it.
He shared, “I went to Ajay’s set, and told him to do the other role. He readily accepted it. We then cast Suniel Shetty for the second hero role.”
Karan then went on to recall how he was shocked by filmmaker Subhash Ghai’s reaction when he showed Dilwale to him after shooting almost 80 percent of the film.
“He told me, ‘If you want to cry, cry right now, because you are anyway going to cry on the film’s release day.’ I asked why? He asked me, ‘Do you have any grudge against Ajay Devgn? He is not even presentable as a mad person.’ He couldn’t comment much on Suniel Shetty as he was relatively new in the industry. On the other hand, Raveena Tandon had delivered about 12 flops. People used to tease me, saying, ‘Tervi aapki hogi (13th will be yours)’,” Karan said in his interview.
After much to and fro, Karan decided to stick to his plans and rest is history.
He recalled how Subhash Ghai called him up and congratulated him for the film’s successful opening. Later when Karan met Shah Rukh Khan, the actor admitted that his suggestion wasn’t great and lauded the filmmaker for sticking to his decision.
Dilwale follows the story of Arun (Ajay Devgn) who loses his sanity and lady love after being falsely implicated in a murder case.
