Renowned Bollywood actor Aamir Khan recently shared insights into major film roles he turned down, which later became iconic performances for Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.
Speaking at the trailer launch of Aamir Khan: Cinema Ka Jadugar in Mumbai on Sunday, the actor looked back on missed opportunities, including Darr and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
The film festival is set to begin on 14 March.
Aamir’s Perspective on Darr
During the event, Aamir was asked if he regretted rejecting any films. He admitted that he was initially attached to Darr, but eventually stepped away for reasons unrelated to creativity.
Reflecting on his decision, he said, “I was working on Darr but didn’t end up doing it. That was due to other reasons, not creative ones. In hindsight, I believe it worked out for the best because the tone that Yash ji envisioned suited Shah Rukh better. If I had done it, the film would have taken a different shape since I saw it from another perspective. I don't regret it because the film turned out well and was successful.”
Akshay Kumar says Twinkle Khanna teases him over patriotic films
The 1993 romantic thriller, directed by Yash Chopra, proved to be a career-defining film for Shah Rukh Khan, who played an obsessive lover opposite Juhi Chawla and Sunny Deol. His portrayal of a dark, unhinged character received widespread acclaim, cementing his position in Bollywood.
The Decision Behind Bajrangi Bhaijaan
As Aamir reflected on his past choices, someone from the audience reminded him of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, another film he was initially considered for.
He recalled, “Oh yes, I heard the script and told the writer that it would suit Salman Khan better. I liked the story, but I suggested that they approach Salman. However, instead of going directly to him, the writer took it to Kabir Khan, who then pitched it to Salman.”
Bajrangi Bhaijaan, released in 2015 and directed by Kabir Khan, became a massive box office success. The film starred Salman Khan as a kind-hearted man on a mission to reunite a lost Pakistani girl with her family. It also featured Kareena Kapoor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and child actor Harshaali Malhotra.
Other Roles Aamir Passed On
Aamir also mentioned Munna Bhai MBBS, saying that director Rajkumar Hirani initially considered him for a role. However, when Hirani approached him with the script, the project had already evolved into more of a sequel, and Aamir ultimately did not take part in the film.
While these films became significant milestones for Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, Aamir believes his decisions aligned with what was best for the projects.
With inputs from Indian media