Amitabh Bachchan, a legend in Indian cinema, has made career choices that have defined and redefined his status as Bollywood’s “Shahenshah”. While his filmography boasts timeless classics, there are several films he turned down that went on to become massive hits, leaving fans wondering how different these movies might have been with him.
Here’s a look at some of the iconic movies Amitabh Bachchan reportedly rejected, the roles he was offered, and the reasons for his decisions:
1. Mr. India (1987)
Role Offered: Arun Verma (Played by Anil Kapoor)
Amitabh Bachchan reportedly felt that the film’s focus on invisibility and special effects would overshadow his performance. At the time, Indian cinema was still experimenting with visual effects and the novelty of an “invisible hero” might have been perceived as a gamble. Anil Kapoor stepped into the role of Arun, creating a benchmark performance in Bollywood. The film became a cult classic, with Mogambo (played by Amrish Puri) turning into one of the most iconic villains in Indian cinema.
2. Qurbani (1980)
Role Offered: Amar (Played by Vinod Khanna)
Feroz Khan, who not only acted in the film but also directed it, initially approached Amitabh Bachchan for the role of Amar. However, Amitabh Bachchan’s existing commitments led to him declining the offer. Some reports suggest that Big B wasn’t entirely convinced about the film’s storyline.
The role was then played by Vinod Khanna and the film turned into a box-office hit, featuring a stellar soundtrack, including the timeless “Aap Jaisa Koi”. Feroz Khan’s suave performance was a standout, cementing his legacy as an actor-director.
3. Ishq (1997)
Role Offered: A cameo
It has been reported that Amitabh Bachchan was offered a cameo in Indra Kumar’s Ishq but he declined the offer due to some misunderstandings. Later on, Johnny Lever was seen dressed as Shahenshah in a song.
4. Mission Kashmir (2000)
Role Offered: Inayat Khan (Played by Sanjay Dutt)
Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra initially wanted Amitabh Bachchan for the role of the police officer but at that time, Amitabh Bachchan was working in Aditya Chopra’s Mohabbatein because of which he rejected Mission Kashmir. However, Sanjay Dutt delivered a compelling performance and the movie received critical acclaim for its exploration of terrorism and family dynamics.
5. Koi… Mil Gaya (2003)
Role Offered: Dr. Sanjay Mehra (Played by Rakesh Roshan)
Amitabh Bachchan was offered the role of Rohit’s father Dr. Sanjay Mehra, a pivotal but small part in the film, but Amitabh Bachchan declined the offer and Rakesh Roshan had to play that character himself.
6. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Role Offered: Himself as the host of the show, KBC (cameo role as the superstar who inspires the protagonist, Jamal Malik)
While it’s unclear whether Amitabh Bachchan was formally offered the cameo, he distanced himself from the project. He reportedly had reservations about the portrayal of poverty in India, which he felt was exaggerated. The cameo was eventually replaced with a fictional quizmaster, played by Anil Kapoor. The film became a global sensation, winning eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Did Amitabh Bachchan make a mistake by declining any of these movies? What do you think?
