Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees director admits producers initially laughed at him for wanting to make movie with superstar; ‘When I sent script to Farhan Akhtar…’

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As a seasoned lifestyle expert with a keen eye for the nuances of cinema, I must say that Rahul Dholakia’s Raees was a triumphant testament to Shah Rukh Khan’s undeniable talent and brooding intensity. The crime drama was a standout performance that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.

Rahul Dholakia’s movie “Raees” brought audiences a long-awaited portrayal of Shah Rukh Khan, showcasing his intense and captivating performance in the crime drama. In an interview, Dholakia explained that although he had originally pitched the film to other actors, he always imagined Khan for the lead role as he happened to pass by his home “Mannat.” He also mentioned that producers initially dismissed the idea of making “Raees” with SRK.

In a chat with Mashable, Rahul shared that once he submitted the script to Farhan Akhtar, the scope of the project started growing substantially.

Farhan and his partner Ritesh Sidhwani expressed enthusiasm about creating the movie together. They asked Rahul to compile a list of five actors he thought would be ideal for the main character.

Rahul shared that Ritesh requested him to provide a list of five potential actors for the character of Raees. Rahul handed over one name – Shah Rukh Khan – which made Ritesh erupt in laughter. Rahul clarified he was quite serious about having Shah Rukh on board. Once they secured him, it turned out to be an extraordinary and life-altering experience for Rahul to collaborate with him.

Rahul looked back on a moment when, while heading towards a coffee shop by Mannat, he recalled that Sarika had advised him to submit his script to Shah Rukh Khan.

In another version, he admitted that Khan was an ideal choice for the character and he could picture him as Raees, even though they hadn’t met yet. Interestingly, Sarika somehow got Khan’s phone number, and Rahul messaged him, but there was no reply – a detail he shared with a good-natured chuckle.

Later on, it was disclosed that the director originally offered the part to Irrfan Khan, but the actor turned down the script as he wasn’t willing to play a character who dies in the movie’s ending.

Rahul pondered, wondering if it held some prophetic significance, but ultimately found it to be a deciding factor due to the necessity for the character of Raees to face a tragic end.

Afterwards, when he met Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the actor signaled a desire to play the cop’s character instead. Interestingly, Irrfan Khan too harbored aspirations for the role of ACP Jaideep Majmudar, which led to speculation about how both police officers could be incorporated into the movie.

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2024-10-20 11:37