Shekhar Suman reveals he was the first choice for Jackie Shroff’s Chunnilal in Devdas: ‘I had that regret’

Actor Shekhar Suman recently disclosed that he was initially considered for the role of Chunnilal in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2002 film Devdas. In a conversation with Instant Bollywood, Shekhar revealed that he was the first choice for the role, which ultimately went to Jackie Shroff. However, Shekhar’s dream of collaborating with Bhansali came true when he secured a significant part in Bhansali’s upcoming web series, Heeramandi.

Reflecting on this opportunity, Shekhar expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s my privilege that Sanjay Leela Bhansali gave me work. He selected me for a pivotal role in Heeramandi, I am doing that currently. Long ago, he had offered me the role of Chunnilal in Devdas but I couldn’t do that at that time. Then Jackie Shroff was cast in the role and it’s good that he did that role. But I had that regret in my life that I couldn’t work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali but my wish has been granted in Heeramandi.”

In the film Devdas, Jackie Shroff played the role of Chunnilal, who is a friend of Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan). He accompanies Devdas to a brothel after Devdas’s childhood love, Paro (Aishwarya Rai), marries someone else. It is at the brothel that Devdas encounters Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit), who falls in love with him. Apart from Jackie Shroff, Devdas also featured Kirron Kher, Smita Jaykar, and Vijayendra Ghatge in supporting roles. The film achieved significant commercial success and emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of the year.

Also read | Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: Epic Netflix series ‘based on Lahore courtesans, first of its kind’

Bhansali’s debut web series Heeramandi, will explore stories of courtesans, the hidden cultural reality of Heeramandi, a district in Lahore in pre-Independence India. It stars Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari and Richa Chadha in lead roles and will release on Netflix.