Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit ruled the Indian film scene throughout the 90s, their on-screen chemistry proving immensely popular. They starred together in numerous films, captivating audiences. A film project presented itself to them, and both stars were enthusiastic about being a part of it. However, the director chose to replace them with two new actors, capitalizing on their fresh faces. This strategic move resulted in the film’s success.
The film was ‘Pardes,’ which was released in 1997. Shah Rukh Khan played the lead role in the film. Mahima Chaudhry and Apurva Agnihotri were also in the lead roles. The film also featured the acting talents of Amrish Puri and Alok Nath. ‘Pardes’ marked the debut film of Mahima and Apurva.
The makers initially wanted Salman and Madhuri for the roles. The casting was almost confirmed. However, the director, Subhash Ghai, decided to change the star cast. He chose Apurva and Mahima, replacing Salman and Madhuri. Mahima received the Best Debut Actress award for her performance in ‘Pardes.’ Both new actors gained popularity after their first film.
In an interview, Subhash Ghai, the director, talked about the film ‘Pardes.’ He said that he decided to change the star cast because he was under pressure. His film ‘Trimurti’ had failed. The general belief was that a big star cast would ensure a film’s success. However, he chose Mahima and Apurva, wanting people to focus on the story rather than the star power.
Did you know that ‘Pardes’ was Subhash Ghai’s first film to be shot abroad? The songs and the story of the film became a massive hit. The director gifted two cars to music directors Nadeem and Shravan because the audience loved the songs so much.