Legend has it that Mr.India was originally written for erstwhile superstar Rajesh Khanna in the title role. Rejected by the famously mercurial legend, he allegedly told off the writers that the "invisibility" factor was the main hero of the film and he wasn't going to waste his time just lending his voice to the movie. The story and screenplay was written by the iconic Angry Young Men, duo Salim–Javed in what was their last collaboration before their (still inexplicable!) split.
After a few timely script changes by film director Shekhar Kapoor and producer Boney Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, the then still rising star, was cast in the place of 'the' Rajesh Khanna. Kishore Kumar, the playback singer of Khanna in innumerable superhit songs, originally recorded the memorable numbers under the impression that it would be picturised on the screen legend -- even music director Laxmikant Pyarelal were under the same impression, they were composing for the icon Khanna, not newcomer Kapoor!
But casting musical chairs in Bollywood are nothing new. Only one star was irreplaceable; the diva-licious Sridevi.
Below: Sridevi in her Charlie Chaplin getup for the movie!
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