Jackie Shroff Could Have Been Bollywood's Shahenshah Instead Of Amitabh Bachchan, Here's How It Almost Happened

Amitabh Bachchan’s 80’s blockbuster Shahenshah is all set to get a remake. Big B returned to the movies after a five-year gap and played a corrupt police officer by day and leather-clad vigilante by night and his comeback was one of the biggest reasons for the excitement of fans. But what you might not know is that if the actor had not quit his career in politics and moved back to films, it could have been Jackie Shroff in Shahenshah instead of him.

While Tinu Anand had initially narrated the story of the film to Amitabh Bachchan in 1983 on the sets of Cooolie, the actor backed out of the project two days before it was to be shot as he was diagnosed with Myasthenis Gravis. While Amitabh bachchan suggested the filmmaker to cast Jeetendra, he refused saying he couldn’t do justice to the role and that’s when Jackie Shroff was made the offer. Reports claim that Jackie Shroff liked the idea but declined the film after four months. The movie was shelved for the time being and the original costumes were used in the film Aag aur Shola.

Not just Jeetendra and Jackie, Rishi Kapoor was also amongst those who were extended the offer but turned it down.

The film finally went on floors in 1985 after Amitabh Bachchan’s wrapped up his career in politics for good. The news of his comeback added to the excitement and the film saw record-breaking advance bookings for the film.

Amitabh Bachchan is accredited with the title of Bollywood’s Shahenshah and the film is certainly a big milestone in his career. Now what remains to be seen is which Bollywood actor in today’s day and age will be able to do justice to Big B’s iconic role as a remake has been announced by Tinnu Anand.