In the early 1990s, Shah Rukh Khan had a few accepted roles in films that other actors had rejected. At that time, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan were already well-established as successful actors, while Shah Rukh was still making a name for himself. Although he played several negative roles early on, Shah Rukh has since become known globally as Bollywood's "King of Romance." Interestingly, Aamir Khan was the first choice for Baazigar, a role that eventually went to Shah Rukh and became a major hit. But did you know that Shah Rukh was the original choice for one of Aamir's iconic movies?
Shah Rukh Khan had turned down a role in a film that was eventually headlined by Aamir Khan and released in the early 2000s. After Shah Rukh passed on the project, it was offered to Hrithik Roshan, who also declined. Initially, Aamir Khan wasn't interested either, but he later agreed to do the film. This decision turned out to be a wise one, as the movie not only became a massive box office success but also earned an Oscar nomination. For our entertainment news readers, the film in question is Lagaan.
In a recent interview with Friday Talkies, actor Yashpal Sharma, who played the character Lakha in Lagaan, shared some intriguing insights about the making of the 2001 classic. Yashpal revealed that the movie faced considerable doubt during its early stages. He mentioned that even Javed Akhtar, who wrote the film's lyrics, was sceptical about its success. Yashpal explained that many in the industry, including Akhtar, believed that a story set in a village with a hero wearing traditional attire like a dhoti and pagdi wouldn't appeal to audiences.
Furthermore, Yashpal recalled how director Ashutosh Gowariker faced difficulties in casting a lead actor for Lagaan. Sharma mentioned that the Panipat director had had the script for a long time and initially approached Shah Rukh Khan, who wasn't convinced by the story. Ashutosh then went to Hrithik Roshan, and he also turned it down. Eventually, Aamir Khan, who shared the same rejection as the other two stars, secured the lead star role.
Yashpal said how these setbacks didn't hinder the movie's fate, and it became a global sensation, bringing its cast and crew international recognition and earning a prestigious Oscar nomination. Ashutosh Gowariker eventually worked with SRK and Hrithik in Swades and Jodha Akbar, respectively.
