DYK: Nana Patekar Was Supposed To Play Billu In Khal Nayak? Here’s How And Why Sanjay Dutt Bagged The Subhash Ghai Film

Subhash Ghai much-raved about action crime film Khal Nayak – featuring Sanjay Dutt as the tirular character, celebrates its 32nd anniversary today. While fans of this cult classic continues to fondly remember the film’s songs and dialogues, we at Bollywood Bubble decided to bring you some lesser-known trivia about the film. Wondering what? Well, the role of Billu was originally not meant for Dutt, but was supposed to star Nana Patekar in the lead. Read on to know all about the change in casting.

Not Sanjay Dutt, Nana Patekar Was Supposed To Play Billu In Khal Nayak

During a past conversation with ETimes, Subhash Ghai opened up about Khal Nayak, how he got the idea for the film and the actor he initially envisioned as its titular character. The filmmaker revealed that he got the idea of making the Sanjay Dutt-led film from Raavan as till then, no one had made a film on character yet.

During the same chat, he added that he had actor Nana Patekar in mind writing the story and envisioned it becoming an art film instead of the massy one we now all love. Ghai revealed it was his writer who advised him to make it a commercial and larger than life film instead of something a niche audience would watch.

The filmmaker stated that he initially wanted a middle-aged actor to play the role and had even signed Nana Patekar to play the lead role. However, while writing the story, Ghai realised that he needed a young man who was misguided to make the story believable and hence Sanjay Dutt was cast.

Subhash: Anil Kapoor Wanted To Become A Villain

During the same conversation, Subhash Ghai revealed he completely sure about Jackie Shroff play ing the role of Ram. He however added that Anil Kapoor was keen on playing the villain in Khal Nayak. The filmmaker said, “He came to my house two-three times and said that Subhash ji, I want to do this role. I said that this will not suit you. You will go, I will go and the film will also go.” At the time of its making, there were also reports that Aamir Khan was also approached to play the villain’s role. However, Ghai clarified that Aamir wanted to do Saudagar not Khal Nayak.

About Khal Nayak

Written, directed, and produced by Subhash Ghai, Khal Nayak starrer Sanjay Dutt in the titular role, alongside Jackie Shroff, Madhuri Dixit, Anupam Kher and Rakhee Gulzar in supporting roles. One of the biggest Bollywood hits of 1993, the film went on to win several awards, especially for its song Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai.

Khal Nayak was later remade in Telugu as Khaidi No 1, Hero in Tamil and Billa in Punjabi.

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Also Read: Jackie Shroff Celebrates 32 Years Of Khal Nayak; Drops Fiery Classic Scenes Montage- See Pics

Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.