Aamir Khan was once slated to star in this Shah Rukh Khan blockbuster. 31 years later, actor says, 'I didn't say no…'
The 1993 psychological thriller Darr, directed by the legendary Yash Chopra, was a landmark film that shaped the trajectory of Shah Rukh Khan’s stardom. In the film, Shah Rukh portrayed a deeply disturbed stalker fixated on a woman named Kiran, portrayed by Juhi Chawla.
His character, Rahul, was dangerously obsessed, willing to harm anyone who stood between him and the woman he desired. Sunny Deol played the conventional protagonist—a protective fiancé fighting for his love. However, before Shah Rukh was cast as the obsessive antagonist, the role had initially been offered to Aamir Khan.
During a recent conversation with Zoom, Aamir revealed that, contrary to popular belief, he hadn’t rejected Darr. Instead, he was dismissed from the project. He explained that he had agreed to do the film, but his insistence on a joint script narration with both lead actors led to his removal. Aamir revealed he firmly believes that when a film features more than one central character, all key actors should be present for a collaborative narration. This approach, according to him, ensures mutual understanding and cohesive teamwork. However, Yash Chopra wasn’t willing to accommodate that request, leading to Aamir being let go from the film.
Aamir further cited his experience with Andaz Apna Apna to support his stance. While working on that film alongside Salman Khan, Aamir insisted that both of them attend the story session together. Salman reportedly skipped the meeting multiple times, but Aamir stood his ground, refusing to proceed until both actors were present. Eventually, the narration took place jointly, adhering to Aamir’s condition.
After Darr was released, the film garnered significant success and became the third highest-grossing film of the year. Shah Rukh Khan’s chilling portrayal of Rahul won critical acclaim and immense popularity, catapulting him into a league of unconventional anti-heroes. However, behind the film’s commercial triumph, there was brewing tension on set. Sunny Deol was dissatisfied with how his character was portrayed, feeling that the narrative and screen space favored Shah Rukh’s role over his own. This perceived imbalance led to long-standing friction between Sunny and Shah Rukh.
Their rift lasted for years, marked by cold shoulders and avoidance in public appearances. However, the bitterness was finally put to rest in 2023 when Shah Rukh attended the success celebration of Gadar 2, a significant gesture that brought closure to their decades-old feud.
Darr remains memorable not just for its gripping storyline and performances but also for the behind-the-scenes drama that shaped its casting and legacy.
His character, Rahul, was dangerously obsessed, willing to harm anyone who stood between him and the woman he desired. Sunny Deol played the conventional protagonist—a protective fiancé fighting for his love. However, before Shah Rukh was cast as the obsessive antagonist, the role had initially been offered to Aamir Khan.
During a recent conversation with Zoom, Aamir revealed that, contrary to popular belief, he hadn’t rejected Darr. Instead, he was dismissed from the project. He explained that he had agreed to do the film, but his insistence on a joint script narration with both lead actors led to his removal. Aamir revealed he firmly believes that when a film features more than one central character, all key actors should be present for a collaborative narration. This approach, according to him, ensures mutual understanding and cohesive teamwork. However, Yash Chopra wasn’t willing to accommodate that request, leading to Aamir being let go from the film.
Aamir further cited his experience with Andaz Apna Apna to support his stance. While working on that film alongside Salman Khan, Aamir insisted that both of them attend the story session together. Salman reportedly skipped the meeting multiple times, but Aamir stood his ground, refusing to proceed until both actors were present. Eventually, the narration took place jointly, adhering to Aamir’s condition.
After Darr was released, the film garnered significant success and became the third highest-grossing film of the year. Shah Rukh Khan’s chilling portrayal of Rahul won critical acclaim and immense popularity, catapulting him into a league of unconventional anti-heroes. However, behind the film’s commercial triumph, there was brewing tension on set. Sunny Deol was dissatisfied with how his character was portrayed, feeling that the narrative and screen space favored Shah Rukh’s role over his own. This perceived imbalance led to long-standing friction between Sunny and Shah Rukh.
Their rift lasted for years, marked by cold shoulders and avoidance in public appearances. However, the bitterness was finally put to rest in 2023 when Shah Rukh attended the success celebration of Gadar 2, a significant gesture that brought closure to their decades-old feud.
Darr remains memorable not just for its gripping storyline and performances but also for the behind-the-scenes drama that shaped its casting and legacy.
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