Manoj Bajpayee wanted to become Devdas: When Sanjay Leela Bhansali offered him the role of Chunnilal, he rejected it
The film Devdas released in the year 2002 was a blockbuster. Shahrukh Khan played the role of Devdas in this film, while Jackie Shroff played the role of Chunnilal. Now Manoj Bajpayee has told during an interview that director Sanjay Leela Bhansali had offered him the role of Chunnilal. However, he wanted to play the role of Devdas and not Chunnilal. In such a situation, he rejected the film. Recently, Sushant Sinha had asked Manoj Bajpayee during an interview if he had rejected any such film, which later became a superhit. On this, Manoj said, yes, I was offered the role of Chunnilal in Devdas, but I immediately refused the role. I told Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sanjay yaar, I always wanted to do Devdas. That film was a superhit, but I regret leaving it. Manoj further said, I had a desire to play the role of Devdas since my theater days. Ever since I saw Dilip Kumar’s film Devdas and read the book of Devdas. But I never felt bad. Shekhar Suman had also rejected Devdas Recently, during the promotion of Heeramandi series, Shekhar Suman had told that he too was offered the role of Chunnilal in Devdas. However, due to being busy with the show Shakers and Movers, he had to leave the film. He had said, it is a matter of good fortune for me that Sanjay Leela Bhansali gave me work in Heeramandi. Many years ago he had offered me the role of Chunnilal in Devdas, but I could not do it. Later Jackie Shroff was cast in that role, it is a very good thing that he did that role. But I was sad that I could not work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, however now my wish to work with him in Heeramandi has been fulfilled.
About The Author
