Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a candid revelation, superstar Aamir Khan has confirmed that some of Bollywood's biggest leading ladies, including Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt, rejected a role in his 2018 mega-production, Thugs of Hindostan. The film, which also starred Amitabh Bachchan, went on to become one of the most spectacular box office disasters in recent memory.
Speaking at a promotional event for his new production, Laapataa Ladies, Aamir opened up about the casting challenges for the character of the dancer, Suraiyya. The role was ultimately played by Katrina Kaif.
Aamir explained that the film's main female lead was the character Zafira Baig, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh. He speculated that because Suraiyya's role was smaller and less central to the plot, it wasn't appealing enough for the A-list actresses they approached.
"We had approached many leading actresses at that time," Aamir stated, before naming Deepika, Shraddha, and Alia as among those who declined the part. He was quick to add that he understood their decision, acknowledging that the role was not substantial enough to warrant their star power. "The role was a bit small. It was not a lead character, the lead character was Fatima's role," he clarified.
In hindsight, the decision by Padukone, Kapoor, and Bhatt appears to have been a savvy career move. Despite a massive budget, a star-studded cast, and a huge holiday release, Thugs of Hindostan was panned by critics and rejected by audiences, failing to recover its costs.
This behind-the-scenes story adds another layer to the film's troubled legacy, offering a fascinating glimpse into the casting decisions that shape Bollywood's biggest projects and how sometimes, saying "no" is the smartest choice an actor can make.
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