Shilpa Shetty made her screen debut with Baazigar and bagged nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. It launched her acting career opening new avenues for her. But did you know that her role — Seema Chopra — in the Abbas-Mustan directorial was initially offered to Madhoo Shah? For the 1993 superhit thriller — starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol leading roles — Venus Movies had first reached out to Madhoo, who refused the offer.
In a new interview with Siddharth Kannan, Madhoo revealed, “I was offered Shilpa Shetty’s character in Baazigar and I turned it down because I didn’t want to play second fiddle. I did want to see myself on screen, but I refused the part because it wasn’t the lead role.”
Madhoo’s acting career began in 1991 with the Tamil film Azhagan, followed by her Hindi debut opposite Ajay Devgn in Phool Aur Kaante. She played Roja in Mani Ratnam’s 1992 directorial – Roja which both critically-acclaimed and 54-year-old actress is still remembered for her part.
Also read: Madhoo says she rejected Shilpa Shetty’s role in Baazigar, reveals Shah Rukh Khan is her screen crush
When asked if she ever rejected the decision because Baazigar went on to become a massive success, she answered that there is no hint of regret. “I don’t regret the decision but I will always remember this moment in my life. Interestingly, a lot of my female friends from the industry tell me that they had auditioned for Roja. They worked hard, prepared for the part and gave auditions but eventually I got the film, similarly, jo role jisse milna hota hai woh uske paas hi jata hai (whoever is meant for that role, it will go to them),” she shared.
In an interview with The Times of India, Madhoo had spoken about her being “SRK’s biggest fan.” The actor is among her first crushes. “When one talks about a crush, the first name that comes to my mind is Shah Rukh Khan. His charisma and the way he does things on screen, what he represents, appeals to me. I am his biggest fan,” said Madhoo, adding, “Even when his films flop, he doesn’t do well at the box office or he does horrible work, he is just like a God.”
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