On Aamir Khan’s 60th birthday, we look back at the films he rejected that became Bollywood legends!
At 16, Aamir Khan starred in the silent film ‘Paranoia,’ which sparked his passion for acting. From a silent film to earning the title of “Mr. Perfectionist” of Bollywood, the versatile and talented Aamir Khan celebrates his 60th birthday today! His career is filled with remarkable performances in films like ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,’ ‘Dil Chahta Hai,’ and ‘Mangal Pandey,’ showcasing his versatility, dedication, and talent. He has been part of several blockbuster hits, including ‘3 Idiots,’ ‘Taare Zameen Par,’ ‘Fanaa,’ and ‘Rang De Basanti.’ But did you know he turned down some films that later became massive hits? Let’s find out more about them!
This Sooraj Barjatya film is regarded as one of the most influential in Indian cinema and pop culture. It left a lasting impact on wedding celebrations in India, with its songs and games becoming a staple at ceremonies. Starring Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit, the film became the highest-grossing Indian movie at the time of its release and was the first to surpass ₹100 crore in India! Aamir Khan was initially offered the lead role but turned it down as he didn’t find the script appealing. Eventually, the film became a major turning point in Salman Khan’s career.
The longest-running film in Indian cinema history, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ is undoubtedly a cult classic! It redefined romance in Bollywood and became a landmark in the genre. Director Aditya Chopra initially offered the iconic role of Raj Malhotra to Aamir Khan, but he chose to pass on it. That same year, Aamir’s ‘Rangeela’ also hit the screens. While both films were successful and both Khans received immense love for their performances, DDLJ went on to make history.
Aditya Chopra approached Aamir Khan once again, this time for his musical romantic drama ‘Mohabbatein,’ his second film following the massive success of his directorial debut DDLJ. However, Aamir declined the offer, and the role of Raj Aryan Malhotra eventually went to Shah Rukh Khan. The film became a massive box office success, emerging as the highest-grossing Indian film of its release year.
Another musical romance film that was offered to Aamir Khan was ‘Dil To Paagal Hai,’ directed by Yash Chopra. Due to his tight schedule, Aamir had to turn down the role, which eventually went to Shah Rukh Khan. The film went on to gross over ₹710 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year. That same year, Aamir starred in the cult comedy ‘Ishq’ alongside Ajay Devgn, Kajol, and Juhi Chawla.
Aamir Khan was initially offered the role of Sunil Dutt in the biopic ‘Sanju.’ He revealed that he declined the role because he was more interested in playing the protagonist. However, director Rajkumar Hirani stated that Aamir’s reluctance to portray an older character on screen was the reason behind his decision. Regardless of the reason, ‘Sanju’ went on to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2018, earning over ₹587 crore worldwide.
