Abbas-Mustan recalled that they were asked to cast Sridevi in a double role in Baazigar. The film, starring Shah Rukh in the lead, had Kajol and Shilpa Shetty playing the two female leads finally.
Casting Conundrum Of Baazigar
When filmmakers Abbas-Mustan were casting for their 1993 film Baazigar, the filmmakers were facing a hard time in casting the lead role,which was eventually played by Shah Rukh Khan and set him up on the road to stardom. Since it was a negative character, who throws off a woman from a tall building in the first act of the film, no mainstream hero was ready to get associated with the film. And while they were struggling to get the right man for the job, they were told that they should perhaps think about casting Sridevi as the lead actress. That too in a double role.
In an earlier conversation with Komal Nahta, Abbas Mustan said that one of the executives at Venus Films, who were the producers of the film, recommended that Sridevi should be cast in the role of the two sisters – Priya (played by Kajol) and Seema (essayed by Shilpa Shetty). They believed that when Seema dies, Priya will still be alive trying to solve her sister’s death case and the audience will have more of Sridevi. “He said that when the first girl dies, we’ll still have Sridevi in the movie,” the director duo recalled.
But Abbas-Mustan did not like this idea. “We said that Shah Rukh is also in a sort-of double role. Although it is one character, but he is playing it like two guys.
If the sisters are also in a double role, it will be too confusing for the audience,” they shared. But they had to turn down the suggestion gently so they came up with another reason. “We felt that if we take Sridevi or Juhi Chawla in Seema’s role, the audience’s sympathy, especially the fans of the actress will be wholly invested in that. They won’t be interested in the film anymore. And they will also be let down that our favourite actress is dead. So we decided to cast a new actress. We thought that when she dies, people will be shocked. And then people will be like now we are curious to know what happens next,” they shared.
The directors then met Shah Rukh Khan who was keen to work with them after the success of Khiladi. After SRK insisted on a narration by the directors themselves, he agreed to do the film on the spot.
Baazigar, along with Darr, which released in the same year was a turning point in Shah Rukh Khan’s career.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Cult Classic Blockbuster Baazigar Set To Re Release From 22nd To 28th March In Cinepolis Cinemas
The iconic Bollywood thriller Baazigar is all set to make a grand comeback on the big screen! As cinephiles eagerly await its re-release, let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore why this Shah Rukh Khan-starrer continues to captivate audiences even after three decades.
Cinepolis, one of India’s leading multiplex chains, is gearing up for a special screening of Baazigarstarting from 22nd March to 28th March. Film will be re released in across country in around 25 locations. Advance booking of the film had started on bright note and almost all shows will be housefull for sure by the time of release.
Fans can relive the thrills, twists, and turns on the silver screen once again. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a first-time viewer, this re-release promises an unforgettable cinematic experience. This will be one of its kind experience for new generation to watch one path breaking film on big screens.
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