'Regret missing opportunity': Why Boney couldn't cast Salman in 'Ghajini'
What's the story
Veteran producer Boney Kapoor recently revealed that he wanted to cast Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in the 2008 hit Ghajini. However, he lost the opportunity because producer Madhu Mantena kept him waiting for almost six months to acquire the Hindi remake rights of the Tamil original. The film was eventually headlined by Aamir Khan and became one of his biggest hits.
Casting decision
Kapoor believed Khan was a perfect fit for 'Ghajini'
Kapoor told Rediff, "In the first half of Tere Naam, Salman sports long hair, but for the post interval portions...he had shaved his head." "I thought that with his chiseled physique, and his hair pruned, he would be a perfect fit for Suriya's role in Ghajini." The original was released in 2005.
Rights acquisition
Kapoor's efforts to acquire rights
Kapoor further revealed that his representative had approached the producer for the Hindi remake rights. However, they were told that the rights had been given as collateral to Allu Aravind, who had distributed Ghajini's Telugu version. "I subsequently reached out to Madhu Mantena...for the purchase of rights. Madhu kept assuring me, 'Ho jayega (It will happen).'"
Lost opportunity
Kapoor's frustration over delayed negotiations
Kapoor added that while Mantena was negotiating, Pradeep Rawat, who played the antagonist in Ghajini, showed the Tamil film to Aamir. "For almost six months...Madhu kept me dangling." "When Aamir finally consented, Madhu Mantena and Allu Aravind decided to produce the film themselves, and I lost out." "I wanted to remake Ghajini with Salman and to this day I regret missing out on the opportunity."
Successful ventures
Kapoor's past collaborations with Khan
Kapoor and Khan have a long history of successful collaborations, starting with Sirf Tum in 1999. They also worked together on hits like No Entry (2005) and Wanted (2009). Kapoor shared that Khan had even agreed to do Sirf Tum without any fees or gifts, calling it a goodwill gesture. He also revealed that Khan had suggested Katrina Kaif for the female lead in Wanted, but they eventually cast Ayesha Takia.