Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia has revealed that Shah Rukh Khan was his first choice for the lead role in his upcoming film ‘Ghamasaan’, a part eventually played by Pratik Gandhi. Recalling how the superstar turned down the offer, Dhulia said Shah Rukh politely told him, “I don’t do realistic films like these.”
Shah Rukh Khan turned down the police officer role
Tigmanshu Dhulia, who is currently promoting ‘Ghamasaan’, opened up about the casting history of the film in a conversation with Bollywood Hungama. He revealed that after completing the script, he approached Shah Rukh Khan for the role of the police officer played by Pratik Gandhi in the film.Recalling his conversation with Shah Rukh, Dhulia said, “To tell the truth, when I wrote the script of this film, I went to Shah Rukh Khan first for the role that Pratik Gandhi is playing in the film.”Dhulia also spoke about his longstanding association with Shah Rukh. The filmmaker and actor have known each other since their ‘Dil Se’ days, while Dhulia played Shah Rukh’s father in ‘Zero’.“So he heard the script and he is Shah Rukh Khan, his heart is like a football field. Also, we have known each other for a long time since ‘Dil Se’ days and in the film ‘Zero’, I played the role of his father. So he heard the script and he told me, ‘Yaar Tishu, mein is tarah ki realistic pictures nahi karta hoon yaar (I don’t do realistic films like these),’” Dhulia recalled.
Arshad Warsi backs Shah Rukh Khan’s decision
Arshad Warsi, who stars alongside Pratik Gandhi in ‘Ghamasaan’, agreed with Shah Rukh’s decision to turn down the role. Warsi joked that he would rather see the superstar in larger-than-life roles.“I get it. I also want to see him like a Tom Cruise. That’s all. That poor guy, if he does anything realistic then I will have a problem,” Warsi said.
Tigmanshu Dhulia’s remarks on ‘Dhurandhar’
Dhulia has also recently made headlines for his comments on ‘Dhurandhar’. In an interview with The Wire, the filmmaker questioned the film’s narrative and broader trends in contemporary Hindi cinema.“If someone asks you about the story of ‘Dhurandhar’, you can’t tell it. There is a guy who goes to Pakistan aur vaha tabahi macha deta hai. Is this a story?” he said.Dhulia went on to argue that filmmakers are increasingly hesitant to tell unconventional stories because of concerns over whether such films will succeed.
About ‘Ghamasaan’
‘Ghamasaan’ is a cat-and-mouse drama set in the Hindi heartland, exploring friendships, rivalries and the hidden homoerotic tension between men. The story follows characters on both sides of the law as they navigate a dry and rugged landscape, with the setting playing an important role in the film’s exploration of buried histories.Starring Pratik Gandhi and Arshad Warsi, ‘Ghamasaan’ is set to premiere on ZEE5 on September 11.