Akshay Kumar was not the first choice for Jannavar: Sunil Darshan
Filmmaker Sunil Darshan revealed that Akshay Kumar was not the original leadership for the animal. The director initially considered two other Bollywood actors before casting Akshay during a low point in his career.
In short
- The animal was planned as a lead with Sunny Deol at the beginning
- Ajay Devgan was almost finalized before Akshay Kumar’s participation
- Akshay approached Sunil Darshan during a difficult phase in his career
Filmmaker Sunil Darshan recently opened the casting decisions of scenes shaping his 1999 film ‘Animal’. In a special interview with India Today today, Darshan revealed that action star Akshay Kumar was never the original option for the lead role. The ‘animal’ was initially for the convenience of Sunny Deol, and later, Ajay Devgan, which was almost finally finalized.
“The animal was not written for Akshay,” Darshan started. “The film was originally planned with Sunny Deol. We were ready to move forward when we used to make a decline on some very ugly issues. Those issues are still pending. So I decided to move forward and find someone else.”
That someone, it turned out, was Ajay Devgan – who was not only a top star at that time, but also the final form for the part. Darshan said, “Ajay and I met on Saturday and agreed to the film. We were going to finalize everything on Monday, but everything changed on Sunday.”
That Sunday morning, Darshan received an unexpected call. “It was from someone who I had never met before – Achana Kumar. He was very keen to meet him immediately. I invited him, and he said he wanted to do ‘animal’. He asked me,” Will you consider making a film with me? “
Darshan admitted that he was earlier uncertain. “Akshay was going through the worst stage of his career at that time. But I thought,” Here is a good -looking, disciplined actor who is ready to give himself 100%. ” He also told me, ‘Sir, I will offer you 100%.’ He stayed with me. ,
Despite the commercial risk, Darshan decided to rely on his tendency and trust Akshay. “I knew I could not earn money in his name, but I believed in my ability to bring out his ability. I felt that we would coordinate a good coordination – and it would reflect on the screen.”
Some changes were also seen in the casting of female leads. Karishma Kapoor, then a ruler star, came on board with zero hesitation. “She was not. She just said, ‘Of course. Why not?” Darshan shared. Kajol, who should have been part of the project, had to stay away for personal reasons.
“Kajol was initially to be there.
Released in December 1999, ‘Animal’ gave a significant turn in Akshay Kumar’s career.
