New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan and Vidhu Vinod Chopra have always wanted to work together. Not that they didn’t want to because it almost happened once. During a fireside chat at Kellogg School of Management, the filmmaker disclosed that Shah Rukh was initially considered for the lead role in his romantic film ‘1942: A Love Story’.
Reflecting on the history he shared with Shah Rukh, Vinod recounted, “Shah Rukh had a history with me. When I was making 1942: A Love Story, I’d seen his work. Renu (Saluja, his then-wife) had edited a film called Maya Memsaab. He had a small role. So I offered him the role. I was the first person to offer him a role. He wasn’t a star then,” Despite this, Shah Rukh’s career soared with notable hits like ‘Darr’ and ‘Baazigar’.
Eventually, Vidhu Vinod Chopra cast Anil Kapoor, who had previously worked with him in ‘Parinda’ (1989), for ‘1942: A Love Story’.
Vidhu also approached SRK for the titular role in Rajkumar Hirani’s 2003 production ‘Munna Bhai MBBS.’ However, Shah Rukh opted out due to medical concerns. Vidhu expressed his support for Shah Rukh’s recovery and even promised that upon his return, they would collaborate. Due to unforeseen complications, Shah Rukh couldn’t participate, leading to Sanjay Dutt taking on the iconic role. He shared, “I told him you go, take six months, one year whatever. But when you come back, my film is the first one you’re doing. Due to complications, he didn’t do the film. So I said Sanjay Dutt is the right choice for this,”
