Did you know Shah Rukh Khan took up Baazigar on THIS condition after Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar rejected it? Writer Robin Bhatt reveals

Legendary Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is renowned for his memorable films in Indian cinema, holding a cherished place in many hearts. One timeless masterpiece of his is Baazigar, which remains fondly remembered. Interestingly, it’s been revealed that the role was initially offered to Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, but both declined. However, Shah Rukh Khan only agreed to star if the script remained untouched.

As I shared in a conversation with Friday Talkies, I, Robin Bhatt, Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt’s younger half-brother, reminisced about an intriguing moment. One day, I received a call asking if I had watched the film A Kiss Before Dying. I responded that I had read the original book and thought it could indeed be transformed into a movie. Upon this, I was tasked with writing a screenplay as directors Abbas-Mustan were eager to lead the project. And so, Baazigar was born.

In an interesting twist, the author of “Baazigar” disclosed encountering a significant casting hurdle since the film deviated from convention with its bold narrative where the main character turned out to be the villain. After penning the script, they found it difficult to cast the leading role.

Initially, they attempted to involve Akshay Kumar in the project, but he rejected it. Next, they contacted Salim Khan about Salman Khan, yet he also refused. At this point, Robin came to understand that only a bold actor would take on such a complex character without hesitation, and that person was none other than the ‘King’ Shah Rukh Khan.

Robin Bhatt shared more insights about their frequent encounters at Hotel Villa, a place where they both were regularly engaged in work. Notably, Shah Rukh Khan was there during shoots for Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, whereas Robin was busy with his own projects. He also highlighted the distinctive mindset of the actor.

In these informal gatherings, he discerned that the actor portraying the King held distinct thoughts from others. Taking advantage of this moment, Robin shared the story of Baazigar with him. Surprisingly, as they approached the midpoint, SRK promptly consented to participate in the film, without requiring further convincing about the second half.

In addition, he mentioned that Shah Rukh Khan had set a clear requirement for the filmmakers. He emphasized, “I’ll participate in the project only if you keep the script unchanged. There will be no attempts to explain or modify my character; he remains as he is, without being turned grey.

The firm resolve of that individual significantly increased the conviction of film directors Abbas-Mustan, leading them to maintain their initial concept without any concessions. The outcome was a historical success.

For the unversed, the film also starred Shilpa Shetty, Kajol, Raakhee, and Johnny Lever.

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2025-04-26 13:52