Actor Surendra Pal, who played the role of Guru Dronacharya in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, has opened up about an interesting incident. The veteran actor said that he initially rejected the role because he didn’t want to play the role of an ‘old man’. However, when Chopra heard this, he gave Pal an earful, leading to the actor’s emotional outburst in front of the makers.
In an interview with Rajshri Unplugged, the actor said, “Gufi Paintal called me and said he has a role for me. Upon reaching there he told me, ‘The casting is done, but there is one role of Dronacharya in Mahabharat.’ I frowned after listening to Dronacharya’s name. I was like ‘Buddhe ka role mujhe diya jaara hai. I have come here to become a hero. I am handsome.’ I felt my career will be over even before it starts. I told him I cannot play this buudha‘s role and I left.”
Surendra Pal said that while he was leaving, a person came running and informed him that BR Chopra had called him to the office. Upon meeting Pal, Chopra’s first words were, ‘I have got my Dronacharya.’
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He continued, “I did not like what he said. I told him, ‘Sir, I want to tell you something. I cannot play the role of an old man.’ He turned in anger and said, ‘What did you say? Dronacharya was an old man? He was the general of an army and he could make 10 Arjuns and 10 Duryodhans.’ He shouted at me for a long time. I started crying there.”
After making Surendra Pal understand the importance of Dronacharya, BR Chopra finally convinced the actor and told him, “I want a Tiger like look and I am seeing a Tiger in front of me and only you can do the role of Dronacharya and no one else.” Pal said that he was selected without an audition and look test.
Mahabharat was produced by BR Chopra and helmed by his son Ravi Chopra. It was released in 1988.
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