Armaan Kohli was the first choice for 'Deewana' not Shah Rukh Khan, how SRK was signed for 11,000 rupees
News Topical, Digital Desk : Shah Rukh Khan Deewana Trivia: Shah Rukh Khan made his Bollywood debut with "Deewana", but the original choice for the film was not him, it was Armaan Kohli. Shah Rukh Khan joined the film after Kohli walked out of the project. He was awarded 11,000 rupees as signing-on fee.
Shah Rukh Khan Deewana Trivia: It has been 34 years since Shah Rukh Khan, also known as the King of Bollywood, made his entry into Hindi cinema. His first film was Deewana released on 25 June 1992. But the original choice for this film, along with Rishi Kapoor and Divya Bharti, was not Shah Rukh. It was Armaan Kohli. But Armaan left the project for some reason. Armaan Kohli was out of the show and “Deewana” producer Guddu Dhanoa was in a fix about whom to cast. Then Shekhar Kapur suggested the name of Shah Rukh.
In an exclusive with News9 Digital, Guddu Dhanoa spoke about casting Shah Rukh Khan. “I was unsure who to cast after Armaan had left the film,” he said. Shekhar Kapur said, ‘Look to Shah Rukh Khan. “Who is Shah Rukh Khan?” I asked him. 'The new guy from Fauji,' he said. I had seen that TV show but I didn’t remember Shah Rukh’s face. At that time I was in Madras. I called Shah Rukh when I got back. He wanted me to come to Delhi and meet him. I went to Delhi with Raj Kanwar (director). We met him in a restaurant in Connaught Place. I asked Raj Kanwar if he was Shahrukh. He said yes and I said done. “Watching Shah Rukh took me back to the days of TV serials ‘Fauji’ and ‘Circus’.”
Shahrukh Khan was working on 5 films
“I told Shah Rukh about the film and he said he didn't have dates,” Guddu Dhanoa further explained. He said he was now shooting five films, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Dil Aashna Hai, Chamatkar, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and King Uncle. Guddu Dhanoa asked Shah Rukh Khan to listen to the story of the film and Shah Rukh Khan asked him to come over to his house the very next day.
Shahrukh wanted to work with Rishi Kapoor.
The next day Guddu Dhanoa came to his house. He did the first half of the film narration but there was no character of Shah Rukh Khan. The second half was told after lunch. Shah Rukh Khan said, “I am doing your film, Guddu. It's a great subject and I want to work with Chintuji (Rishi Kapoor). I like him a lot.”
Signing amount Rs 11,000
“Shahrukh told me he will give me dates only when he got a date cancelled for another film. Guddu Dhanuo said, “I gave him Rs 8,000 cash and Rs 3,000 cheque as my signing amount. 11,000 rupees in all. A few days later he called and said his schedule had been cancelled and he had 20 free days. He asked when could we take the pictures. I told him we could start shooting tomorrow. We started shooting immediately and completed a 20-day schedule with Shah Rukh.
