Avinash Wadhawan Reveals Why He Refused Ajay Devgn, SRK's Iconic Roles

Avinash Wadhawan reveals why he refused Ajay Devgn's 'Phool Aur Kaante' and Shah Rukh Khan's 'Deewana'

Mumbai, Aug 6

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, the 'Bidaai' actor shared that he was offered Ajay Devgn's "Phool Aur Kaante" and Shah Rukh Khan's "Deewana," but he turned down the roles due to various reasons. When asked why he could not become the next superstar despite being a part of the same era as Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn, Avinash said that the reasons were a mix of circumstances and destiny.

Avinash also recalled another missed opportunity after his film "Junoon" with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. He shared that he was offered "Sir," which would have featured him opposite Pooja Bhatt, but he lost the project due to issues involving his secretary.

"There were many reasons and also destiny. I was offered Ajay Devgn's Phool Aur Kaante, Shah Rukh Khan's role in Deewana... both these roles I refused due to many reasons. After Mahesh Bhatt's "Junoon", I was offered his "Sir," again opposite Pooja Bhatt, but lost out due to my secretary's manipulation. I was finalised for Akshaye Khaana's role in "Border" but I was unceremoniously dropped at the last moment."

"Yash Chopra ji wanted to cast me as one of the two heroes in Yeh Dillagi & personally called me to his office but somehow I couldn't reach on that particular day. It was too late by the time I went there."

Avinash added, "Even though I lost out on these plum projects, I still had some excellent films which did very well at the box-office. They were directed by renowned directors like Mahesh Bhatt, Partho Ghosh, K.C. Bokadia, Lawrence D'Souza, Anil Ganguly, Ashok Gaikwad etc."

"I was also paired opposite almost all the top heroines of that era right from Pooja Bhatt to Ayesha Jhulka, Bhagyashree, Divya Bharti, Karishma Kapoor, Nagma, Madhoo and many more. Few films did excellent business, few average and few did not work. But the main hurdles in my career were my own personal setbacks, my unsettled marriage which affected me emotionally to such an extent that I lost ambition... didn't want to be in Mumbai & I started taking reckless & absurd decisions. And, I blame myself for all this fiasco. These are the things in your life which you can't explain but you can feel."

Avinash Wadhawan is known for playing lead roles in films like "Aayee Milan ki Raat," "Meera Ka Mohan," "Junoon," "Geet," "Balmaa," "Dil Ki Baazi," "Paapi Gudia" & many more.

Apart from his film career, Avinash Wadhawan has also been a popular face on Indian television and has been part of several popular shows over the years. He appeared in notable series including "Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai," where he played Indrajeet Rajvansh, and Balika "Vadhu." He has also featured in shows such as "Maat Pitaah Ke Charnon Mein Swarg," "Shobha Somnath Ki, Junoon - Aisi Nafrat Toh Kaisa Ishq," "C.I.D" and "Doli Armaano Ki," among others.

— IANS