Aamir Khan’s latest YouTube channel, ‘Aamir Khan Talkies,’ is gaining immense appreciation for its unconventional and insightful content, much like his diverse filmography. In one of his latest interactions with renowned screenwriter Javed Akhtar, Aamir shared details about his journey in Bollywood, script selection process, and films he turned down—which later became massive hits with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.
Aamir Khan Was Initially Offered ‘Darr’ & ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’
During the conversation, Javed Akhtar asked Aamir if he regretted rejecting any films that later became successful. Aamir responded that while there were some great scripts he declined, he had specific reasons for doing so.
Aamir revealed that he was originally cast in Yash Chopra’s psychological thriller ‘Darr’ (1993) and had even shot for the film. However, after working on it for a while, he realized that Shah Rukh Khan was better suited for the character’s vibe that Yash Chopra envisioned. Eventually, SRK took on the role, delivering an iconic performance that defined his early career.
Similarly, Aamir was approached for ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ after screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad penned the script. Although Aamir liked the storyline, he felt that Salman Khan would be a better fit for the character of Pavan Kumar Chaturvedi. Instead of taking on the film himself, Aamir suggested the script be taken to Salman, who then brought in Kabir Khan to direct the blockbuster.
How These Films Shaped SRK & Salman Khan’s Careers
Both ‘Darr’ and ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ became massive blockbusters, significantly contributing to the legacy of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. ‘Darr’ cemented SRK’s place as the ultimate anti-hero, while ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ became one of Salman Khan’s most emotionally resonant performances.
While Aamir Khan has a string of iconic performances in his career, his choices in rejecting these films further reflect his keen understanding of storytelling and casting.
