Throughout the years, there have been instances in the film industry where the misfortune of some actors has turned into good fortune for others. Whether it was Salman Khan passing on Baazigar for Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan rejecting DDLJ for SRK, or Kajol and Ajay Devgn turning down Veer Zara for SRK and Preity Zinta, certain movies that were initially rejected by stars ended up becoming milestones in different actors’ careers.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore the films that Shah Rukh Khan rejected, which turned out to be milestones in Aamir Khan’s illustrious career. Aamir, known as Bollywood’s Mr. Perfectionist, has delivered some of the biggest hits in the industry, including Dangal, 3 Idiots, Rang De Basanti, Lagaan, and Taare Zameen Par. However, did you know that four of these superhits were initially offered to SRK but were eventually taken up by Aamir? One can’t help but wonder if Shah Rukh Khan regrets letting go of these opportunities.
The first film on this list is the 2001 epic sports drama, Lagaan, which not only put Aamir Khan on the map but also established him as one of the greatest actors in the country. Initially, Lagaan was offered to Shah Rukh Khan, but for various reasons, he decided to decline the project. Aamir then stepped into the film and left an indelible mark on the big screen with his brilliant portrayal.
Another remarkable film that Shah Rukh Khan turned down, but became a milestone in Aamir’s career, is the 2009 blockbuster, 3 Idiots, directed by Rajkumar Hirani. This film emerged as the highest-grossing movie of that year, and while it was initially offered to King Khan, it eventually found its way to Aamir, who delivered a stellar performance.
Yet another movie that was not initially associated with Aamir’s name but turned out to be a blockbuster in his career is Rang De Basanti. The character of Daljeet or DJ in the film was first offered to Shah Rukh Khan, who also rejected the opportunity. However, Aamir’s portrayal of the character elevated the movie to great heights.
An example of another remarkable movie that Shah Rukh Khan rejected, which later became a milestone in Aamir Khan’s career, is Taare Zameen Par. If Shah Rukh Khan hadn’t refused, we would have witnessed his presence in the film. However, Aamir Khan took charge as the producer and director of the movie, and it went on to become a significant success.
Other Blockbuster Movies Rejected By Shah Rukh Khan
However, it’s not just Aamir Khan who benefited from Shah Rukh Khan’s rejections. There are other noteworthy films that Shah Rukh let slip through his fingers, which went on to become milestones in the careers of different actors. One such example is Munna Bhai M.B.B.S, an iconic film that Shah Rukh rejected, but it ultimately became a turning point in Sanjay Dutt’s career.
Additionally, the blockbuster movie Robot found its way to Rajnikanth after being turned down by Khan. Furthermore, Shah Rukh declined the role of the quizmaster in Slumdog Millionaire, and he even spoke about his reasons for not taking up the role. He shared as per TOI, “I didn’t do it because the host is a little bit of a cheat, and he was a little mean, and I’d already done the show so I felt if I do it people will feel I do the same thing. It was a great film.”
What’s Next for Superstars
Moving on to the future endeavors of these superstars, Aamir Khan has taken a break from movies following the lukewarm response to his last release, Laal Singh Chaddha. On the other hand, Shah Rukh Khan will next be seen in Atlee’s upcoming film, Jawan, where he will co-star with Nayanthara in her Hindi debut. The movie is set to hit theaters on September 7. Later on, SRK has Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki in the pipeline, creating much anticipation among fans.
Are you excited about SRK’s upcoming movies? Tell us in the comments below.