Actor Deepak Tijori reveals he was replaced with Shah Rukh Khan in 'Baazigar', says 'I was shocked'

Baazigar, that came out in 1993, made Shah Rukh Khan an overnight star and sensation. Ripped off from the Hollywood whodunnit A Kiss Before Dying, Abbas-Mustan, who directed the film, added their own pulp to the juicy narrative. However, actor and director Deepak Tijori, who worked with the director duo a year before Baazigar in Khiladi, has revealed how the film was supposed to happen with him. While speaking to Bollywood Thikana, Tijori said, “I saw a film, A Kiss Before Dying, and narrated a story to them. Back then, this is how it used to function, there was no concept of copyright, studios system had not come into play. So, most films were inspired by Hollywood films." He added, “After Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Khiladi, people from the distribution circle were looking at me like I am progressing and soon enough I will become a hero. I pitched the idea to Pahlaj Nihalani too and he gave me a go ahead, only to inform me about a twist in the tale few days later.” The actor continued, “Pahlaj ji said Abaas Mustan were in talks with Venus for the same film. I was shocked. Back then Shah Rukh and I were friends. We would party every night. I asked him if he was approached for the film, he said he was.” Tijori said the director duo promised to make another film with him which never happened. He did have an extended cameo in their 1999 comic caper Baadshah though. _Baazigar_ marked the launchpad for Shilpa Shetty and also starred Kajol along with SRK. It’s also known for Johny Lever’s gags, especially with Dinesh Hingoo. It had Dalip Tahil as the antagonist and Rakhee Gulzar as the helpless mother, Adil Irani as the friend and Ananth Mahadevan as the wronged father.