Top Films Rejected By Bollywood Actors And Became All-Time Huge Hits

Films rejected by Bollywood actors

For all these years, Bollywood has not only given the audience iconic movies. The town has brought about the iconic characters as well as iconic dialogues which are remembered generation by generation.

Speaking about Kareena Kapoor Khan, we will be reminded of Poo as in Pooja of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Meanwhile, King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan will always have his image tagged with the Chak De! India’s tough hockey coach named Kabir Khan. Salman Khan will always be Chulbul Pandey (Dabangg) of Bollywood.

However, what if we tell you that the actor stuck with the name Chulbul Pandey was approached to depict Kabir Khan in the first place?

Things could have been extremely different now if in the past, the cast for the iconic movies had no alteration. It is quite unimaginable to see your favorite character played by other artists, isn’t it?

So, have a look at the list of Bollywood actors who rejected huge blockbusters.

Kareena Kapoor Khan - Kal Ho Naa Ho

On the weekend when Mujhse Dosti Karoge went on floors, Bebo was approached for the role of Naina in the 2003 hit Kal Ho Naa Ho. However, she rejected the movie as director Karan Johar was unwilling to pay her a large sum like her fee.

In An Unsuitable Boy, KJo’s autobiography, he shared that Kareena requested the same amount that SRK was getting and he said sorry. Moreover, Kareena also cast Fashion and Dil Dhadakne Do aside.

Shah Rukh Khan - Lagaan, 3 Idiots and Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.

You think Shah Rukh has only been picky towards his projects today? Well, think again. He was offered not just one, but three immense Bollywood flicks - Lagaan, 3 Idiots and Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. The actor refused all of them.

While he reportedly turned down Munna Bhai M.B.B.S as he wanted to concentrate on his back problems, the remaining movies failed to line up in his listing because of dates issues.

Katrina Kaif - Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Reportedly, instead of Deepika Padukone, the actress was the original choice for the heroine of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. She was offered the part of Naina Talwar, a nerdy girl who falls for Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor). Unfortunately, she had to gave it a no because she could not make an available schedule due to prior plans.

Rumor has it that for the same reason, Katrina also turned down the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela.

Hrithik Roshan - Dil Chahta Hai

Until now, Dil Chahta Hai is still beyond doubt one of the best work of filmmaker Farhan Akhtar. And the credit all goes to the splendid cast Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan as well as Akshaye Khanna.

However, these actors were originally not the ideal ones in the mind of Farhan Khan. Khan had shared in a talk with Neha Dhupia that he aspired Akshaye Khanna, Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan to play Akash, Sameer and Siddharth (Sid) respectively.

Saif Ali Khan - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

The scenery of Saif chasing Kajol at a packed railway platform is surely hard to imagine. However, as per some media reports, he was supposed to play the iconic Raj character in DDLJ. But he did not sign up for it because of date issues.

On another hand, Shah Rukh Khan reportedly also refused this film three times. Nevertheless, somehow Aditya Chopra still managed to persuade him to be Raj eventually.

Akshay Kumar - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Akshay Kumar once unveiled that the first pick for BMB was not Farhan Akhtar. The actor shared that the makers offered him for the role but he chose to film for Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Dobaara!.

Kangana Ranaut - The Dirty Picture

A long while ahead of when Vidya Balan detailed with the masala-loving viewer that a movie just needs these three ingredients: "entertainment, entertainment and entertainment," The Dirty Picture makers were anticipating to have Kangana Ranaut acting for the movie.

However, she shook her head with the project as she stated that post doing a movie like Fashion, she can no longer do The Dirty Picture.

Vicky Kaushal - Stree

Vicky Kaushal had got candid on BFFs with Vogue Season 3 when he was questioned about the film that he regrets not acting in. To this, he replied that it is Stree.

At first, the 2018 horror-comedy was offered to the Lust Stories actor but wwas rejected by him because he was filming for Manmarziyaan back then. Notably, the missed project became a sterling jewel in the career of Rajkummar Rao.

Ranbir Kapoor - Delhi Belly

The movie, which forever changed the image of a youthful Imran Khan in the viewer’s mind, actually belongs to Imran after Ranbir left the project. Reportedly, Ranbir Kapoor had signed on for this flick but then could not commit to it and hence, he could do nothing but back out.

The young Khan once unveiled in a talk that in the first place, almost every single actor of Bollywood was reached for the part and he was one of them.

Well, the casting did not work out with anybody and it took very long to get it on board. The actor also shared that he did about 4 screen tests in order to get the role.

Ayushmann Khurrana - Udta Punjab

Udta Punjab is one of the biggest hits in 2016 and it was the successful launch of Diljit Dosanjh, a Bollywood’s stellar new force. To one’s surprise, his debut wouldn’t have been that movie if actor Ayushmann Khurrana did not back out from the project. It was reported that Ayushmann was committed to a big number of plans at that period and he had to leave Udta Punjab behind because of date problems. Hence, that made way for Diljit Dosanjh.

Twinkle Khanna - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

The role played by Rani Mukerji on Kuck Kuch Hota Hai, Tina, was created by Karan Johar originally for Twinkle. However, the former actress turned down the movie and even regarded the script as “shit”, unveiled by her husband Akshay Kumar in a convo.

Ranveer Singh - Bombay Velvet

Deemed as the dream project of Anurag Kashyap, Bombay Velvet was originally offered to actor Ranveer Singh. Although he was hoped to act as "Johnny" Balraj by the makers, he did not say yes with the offer because he had already signed up on Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela. His role was then passed on to Ranbir Kapoor.