This film of Shah Rukh Khan was rejected by Kajol, Aishwarya Rai, Tabu, and Sushmita Sen; afterwards, it became a success and was chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars.
Shah Rukh Khan became a big name by the 2000s and has become the King of Bollywood. The actor, known for his blockbuster successes, experimented with unconventional, content-driven films between 2004-2010. He not only acted in but also financially backed projects like Swades and Billu, showcasing his commitment to meaningful cinema.
In 2005, Shah Rukh Khan starred in Paheli, a film directed by Anmol Palekar and based on a Rajasthani folk tale. The movie featured Rani Mukerji alongside seasoned actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, with special appearances by Amitabh Bachchan. The story centres around a wife whose husband goes on a business trip and is visited by a ghost, disguised as her husband, who is in love with her and takes her husband’s place. The film was made on a budget of Rs 14 crore, and its box office collection is Rs 32 crore worldwide.
In an interview, designer Muneesh Sappel revealed that around 400 trucks of sand were bought to recreate the particular Thar Desert scene in the film. Shah Rukh Khan’s production company, Red Chillies Entertainment, funded Paheli, with a reported Rs 2 crore spent on building an elaborate set. Interestingly, the desert scenes featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan were filmed on a helipad in Mumbai, rather than on location.
Paheli garnered critical acclaim and was chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars. Despite this, it underperformed at the domestic box office, grossing only Rs 2 crore. However, the film found success overseas, becoming a hit and generating profits for its makers.
As per reports, the role of Lachchi in Paheli was passed on to Rani Mukerji after prominent actresses like Kajol, Aishwarya Rai, Tabu, and Sushmita Sen declined the part.
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