Abbas-Mustan, in a throwback interview, had talked about how they had first approached Anil Kapoor for the role of Ajay/Vicky who turned it down citing the subject was ‘too risky’. Eventually, the role fell into Shah Rukh Khan’s lap.
Who can forget Shah Rukh Khan’s anti-hero act in Abbas-Mustan’s 1993 revenge thriller Baazigar? At a time when most heroes would shy away from going grey on screen, the actor took a bold step and the rest is history!
In a throwback interview, the director duo Abbas-Mustan revealed that their first choice for the lead role in Baazigar was Anil Kapoor who was already an established name in the industry. However, the actor politely turned down the role as he felt the subject of the show was ‘too risky’.
While speaking with Komal Nahta, Abbas-Mustan recalled, “When we were ready with the story of Baazigar, we first went to Anil Kapoor. He was shooting for Roop Ki Rani Choro Ki Raja and he said this subject is too risky. He said it’s good but I won’t do it. He refused politely.”
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Post Anil Kapoor’s rejection, producer Ratan Jain thought of casting Salman Khan as Ajay/Vicky. However, the refusal came from Salman’s father Salim Khan who felt that it was too early for his actor-son to take up such a role in his career.
The director-duo shared, “Ratan Jain got in touch with Salman but Salman was doing Rajshri’s films at the time. It was all family oriented stuff. Salim saab told us that it’s too early for Salman to take this up.”
Following this, the next name that cropped in their mind was that of Shah Rukh Khan whose work they had like in his debut film Deewana.
Coincidentally, SRK happened to be at the Venus Films office when he ran into Abbas-Mustan and praised their film Khiladi. He also expressed his desire to work with them on a thriller.
The director duo met with Shah Rukh, who insisted on a story narration from them, and as soon as it was done, he gave it a green signal.
Little did he know that this role would end up as a major turning point in his career!
Baazigar also starred Kajol and Shilpa Shetty.
