by
Advertisement

Baazigar writer says nobody believed in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer, was told audience won’t accept such a protagonist: ‘SRK said I will pull it off’

Baazigar writer Javed Siddiqui shared how except Shah Rukh Khan nobody believed in the film. However, post release, it went on to become one of the highest-earning films of the year.

Abbas-Mastan recently spoke about how they came up with the concept of Shah Rukh Khan's Baazigar and revealed that the first draft of the film was entirely different.Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan in a still from Baazigar. (Credit: IMDb)

When Abbas-Mustan film Baazigar released in 1993, it catapulted Shah Rukh Khan into overnight stardom, establishing him as one of Bollywood’s most promising new talents. The film arrived in only the second year of his Hindi film career, yet it became a defining milestone. Baazigar was not only a turning point for Shah Rukh but also for Kajol, marking her first major commercial success, while introducing Shilpa Shetty to the industry. It went on to become the fourth-highest-grossing Hindi film of the year and, over time, earned the status of a cult classic.

However, before its release, very few believed in the film—or in Shah Rukh Khan’s dark and unconventional character. The only exception was Shah Rukh himself.

In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, the film’s writer Javed Siddiqui revealed the skepticism they faced. “When the project started, a lot of people said that you have made a negative character into a hero or you are making a hero into a villain. They also pointed out that he commits five murders in the film. Most people were shocked and felt the audience wouldn’t accept such a protagonist.”

ALSO READ | ‘Not going to convert her’: Zaheer Iqbal quips as wife Sonkashi Sinha shows excitement in visiting mosque for the first time

Amid the doubts, Shah Rukh Khan stood firm.

“But only one person had confidence in the film, and he was Shah Rukh,” Siddiqui recalled, adding, “He said, ‘I will pull it off.’ He has something different in him. He is also very hardworking when it comes to preparing for his role.”

Javed Siddiqui also shared memories from Shah Rukh Khan’s early days in the industry, long before Baazigar was released. “I had developed a bond with him before Baazigar. My partner Robin Bhatt and I used to write movies together and had a permanent room in a hotel in Khar. Shah Rukh often visited us because, at that time, he wasn’t so busy.”

From the homepage

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

Tags:
  • Baazigar
Edition
Install the Express App for
a better experience
Featured
Trending Topics
News
Multimedia
Follow Us
Express PremiumKillings, surrenders and a divided outfit: End of the road for Maoists?
X