In this weekend’s Blog, I am on Bollywood, and today I am writing about one female star whose judgment about rejecting the roles offered to her was not so good, she might have repented afterward. As the same roles enacted by other actresses in those films were applauded by the masses and critics, and in some cases, the actresses won the awards for the same roles. Friends, I am talking about KAREENA KAPOOR, the films that she rejected went to other popular actresses like Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, and Kangana Ranaut, among others, and changed the dynamics of their respective careers. Given below are some of the film roles rejected by her:
1 Goliyon Ki Raasleela-Ram-Leela– In an interview Kareena admitted that Sanjay Leela Bhansali had offered this film to her, but instead that time she opted for film ‘Gori Tere Pyar Mein’. The same role was then offered to Deepika Padukone, and she proved her talent in that role and went on to win Filmfare’s Best Actress award.
2 Dil Dhadkne Do– This film by Zoya Akhtar was liked by both the audience and critics. The role of Ayesha Mehra was first offered to Kareena Kapoor, but she did not accept the role as the film required her to stay away from home for three months. Subsequently, the role went to Priyanka Chopra. Zoya had decided to cast both Kareena and her cousin brother Ranbir Kapoor in the roles of siblings, in the end, Ranveer Singh enacted the role of Priyanka’s brother in the film.
3 Queen– After seeing this film everyone was of the opinion that this role was meant only for Kangana Ranaut, but director Vikas Bahl had offered this role first to Kareena. The movie went on to win National Award for Best film, and Kangana won Filmfare’s Best actress award.
4 Chennai Express– This was yet another super-hit film that was rejected by Kareena, as per the reports she could not adjust her dates for this film. Later the film was offered to Deepika Padukone, and she nailed the role and entertained us thoroughly.
5 Fashion– Director Madhur Bhandarkar had first offered this role to Kareena, but she did not like the script and refused. Later the role went to Priyanka Chopra, and she won Filmfare’s best actress award. This film changed the career graph of Priyanka Chopra, as the Bollywood started realizing that she can act and do serious roles also.
6 Black– Before Goliyon Ki Rasleela-Ram-Leela, Bhansali had offered the role of main lead, which she refused, as she did not like the story idea and script. The role was eventually played by Rani Mukherjee, and earned her immense critical acclaim and she won many awards for this role.
7 Kaho Naa..Pyar Hai– This was supposed to be Kareena’s debut movie, and even shot for few days. However, she later walked out from the project. The role later went Ameesha Patel. This film went on to become biggest blockbuster of the year 2000, and her debut film Refugee with Abhishek Bachchan, that was released few months later, flopped.
8 Kal Ho Na Ho– She was offered the role of Naina (later played by Preity Zinta) in this romantic film by Karan Johar, also starring Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. As per the sources, the real problem was her fees for the film, she asked for huge amount which was not fitting into the economics of the film. Here also, Preity Zinta went on to win the Filmfare’s best actress award.
9 Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam– seems like Bhansali has wanted to work with Kareena Kapoor, but could not succeed. In fact the actress was even paid advance for this film, but later on things did not work out. Bhansali then opted for Aishwariya Rai. See the irony Aishwariya also won Filmfare’s best actress award for this film.
In the end, there is no heroine like Kareena Kapoor who has left more films than she has, and given them on platter to other heroines.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
29th March 2024