SRK was a better choice: Imran on turning down ‘Chennai Express’
The world of Bollywood is filled with what-ifs and maybes. What if a particular actor had taken on a certain role? Maybe the movie would have turned out differently. One such instance is Imran Khan’s decision to turn down the lead role in the 2013 blockbuster ‘Chennai Express’. In a recent interview, Imran revealed that he stepped away from the project due to a creative mismatch with director Rohit Shetty.
For those who may not be aware, ‘Chennai Express’ is a comedy-drama film that stars Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. The movie follows the story of Rahul, a man who gets caught up in a series of misadventures while on a train journey from Mumbai to Rameswaram. The film was a massive commercial success, grossing over 423 crore at the box office. However, things could have been different if Imran Khan had taken on the role of Rahul.
According to Imran, he had discussions with Rohit Shetty about the project, but he ultimately decided to opt out due to creative differences. “I don’t think I was right for it…I said, ‘Listen, I don’t see us syncing’,” Imran stated. It’s not often that an actor turns down a potential blockbuster, but Imran’s decision to do so shows that he values his artistic vision and is not afraid to take risks.
Imran’s decision to turn down ‘Chennai Express’ also highlights the importance of a director-actor relationship in Bollywood. A good director-actor relationship can make or break a film, and it’s clear that Imran and Rohit Shetty did not see eye-to-eye on this project. Imran’s comments suggest that he and Rohit had different visions for the film, and rather than compromising on his artistic values, Imran decided to walk away.
It’s also worth noting that Imran has been open about his struggles in the film industry. Despite being the nephew of Aamir Khan, one of the most successful actors in Bollywood, Imran has faced his fair share of setbacks and failures. His decision to turn down ‘Chennai Express’ may have been a gamble, but it also shows that he is willing to take risks and stand by his convictions.
In hindsight, it’s clear that Shah Rukh Khan was the perfect choice for ‘Chennai Express’. The film’s success can be attributed in large part to SRK’s charisma and charm, which brought the character of Rahul to life. Imran himself acknowledged that SRK was a better fit for the role, saying “Shah Rukh Khan was a better choice. I don’t think I could top Shah Rukh.” It’s a testament to Imran’s humility and self-awareness that he recognized SRK’s strengths and admitted that he may not have been the best fit for the role.
The decision to turn down ‘Chennai Express’ may have been a turning point in Imran’s career. While he has appeared in a number of films since then, including ‘Gori Tere Pyaar Mein’ and ‘Katti Batti’, he has not quite achieved the same level of success as some of his contemporaries. However, his willingness to take risks and stand by his artistic values is admirable, and it’s possible that he may have missed out on other opportunities if he had taken on the role of Rahul.
In conclusion, Imran Khan’s decision to turn down ‘Chennai Express’ is a reminder that the film industry is full of what-ifs and maybes. While we can’t know for certain how the film would have turned out if Imran had taken on the lead role, it’s clear that SRK was the perfect choice for the project. Imran’s willingness to take risks and stand by his artistic values is admirable, and it’s possible that he may have missed out on other opportunities if he had taken on the role of Rahul.
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