The story of Deepak Tijori reflects the unpredictable nature of fame in Bollywood. Once a competitor to some of the biggest names in the industry, Tijori’s star has dimmed over the years. Seen in films like ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar,’ ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa,’ and ‘Ghulam,’ Tijori was once a notable figure, though he is now less frequently seen in major films.
His career highlights include both victories and setbacks. He was in the running for a role that eventually went to Salman Khan but later secured a role that Akshay Kumar was considered for. This is a look back at Tijori’s career as he celebrates his 64th birthday.
Tijori’s debut was in 1988 with ‘Tera Naam Mera.’ The following year, Sooraj Barjatya’s ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ featured Salman Khan in the lead. Tijori also auditioned for a part in this movie.
Tijori revealed in an interview that the filmmakers auditioned numerous actors for ‘Maine Pyar Kiya.’ The final choices were between Salman Khan and Tijori. Although Tijori was initially considered for the role, Salman Khan was ultimately cast. The director explained that Salman’s appearance was preferred by the female audience, which was a crucial factor. Tijori understood and accepted this decision.
In 1992, Mansoor Khan’s ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ featured Aamir Khan in the lead role, with Tijori playing a secondary character. Milind Soman was originally chosen, but Tijori took over the role after Soman departed the film. Akshay Kumar also auditioned for the role, but he was not selected. Tijori’s most recent work was in ‘Tipppsy,’ a film from May 2024, where he both acted and directed. While Tijori’s fame from the 90s is not what it once was, he remains active in the industry and has also appeared in music videos.