Director Suneel Darshan revealed that Ajay Devgn was initially set to star in the 1999 film Jaanwar, but a last-minute meeting with Akshay Kumar changed the course of casting. This surprising Sunday encounter led Darshan to reconsider, ultimately offering the role to Akshay Kumar instead. This casting decision marked a significant moment in Bollywood history, as the film later became a major success.
How Akshay Kumar Came Into the Picture
Suneel Darshan explained that the choice to replace Ajay Devgn was influenced by Akshay Kumar’s dedication and reputation for professionalism, despite his earlier box office struggles. Darshan said he initially hesitated because Akshay had several flopped movies, but he also saw potential in making a strong film with him. As Darshan noted, this unexpected chance resulted in the creation of Jaanwar, which achieved remarkable popularity and enduring viewership.
A Long Collaboration Between Director and Actor
The partnership between Darshan and Akshay Kumar extended over seven years, during which they worked together on seven films. Although not every project was a hit, Darshan highlighted their fruitful collaboration and Akshay’s ambition, mentioning that the actor once expressed a desire to work on 100 films with him. Darshan also acknowledged the importance of variety in an actor’s career, suggesting that seven films together might become repetitive, despite their success.
Impact and Legacy of Jaanwar
Jaanwar remains a celebrated film, continuing to attract viewers across television, OTT platforms, and YouTube, with over a billion views. Its lasting appeal makes it a landmark in Akshay Kumar’s career and in Bollywood’s late-1990s cinema landscape. The story behind its casting highlights the unpredictable nature of film production and the significance of timely decisions in shaping cinematic history.
Recent Film Launch and Related Industry Buzz
At the launch of the Andaaz 2 trailer in Mumbai, director Suneel Darshan spoke highly of the cast, including Aayush Kumar, Aakaisha, and Natasha Fernandez. The event also featured singer Shadab Faridi, known for the upbeat track “Rabba Ishq Na Hove 2.0.” Discussions touched upon past successes, such as the original Andaaz starring Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, and Lara Dutta, linking the present to the experiences and milestones of previous films.
“It’s a coincidence. Another such coincidence was Akshay Kumar coming in my life and bagging the first film with me (Jaanwar; 1999). Mr Kumar Mangat, who is distributing this film, introduced me to Ajay Devgn. I met Ajay and even gave my nod for casting him in my next film. Lekin hamara haan karne aur signing ke beech ek Sunday ka din tha. That Sunday, Akshay Kumar met me and told me, ‘Main har shart pe aap ke saath kaam karna chahta hoon. Would you like to work with him?’. I realized that yeh actor bahut khoobsurat hai. He had a reputation for being a disciplined actor. I wondered, ‘His 13 films have flopped, because of which I won’t get a distributor. But at the same time, I’ll get more time to make a better film with him. Aur ek acchi film hi hai jo chalegi finally’.”
—Suneel Darshan, Film Director
“The result of it was Jaanwar, which was a super-duper hit film. Even today, it gets great views on television, OTT platforms and YouTube. It has more than 1 billion views.”
—Suneel Darshan, Film Director
“Akshay Kumar was associated with me for 7 years. He did 7 films with me. In these 7 years, we made some wonderful films, though one or two may not have worked. At the end of the sixth year, he promised that he wanted to do 100 films with me.”
—Suneel Darshan, Film Director
“He did 7 films with me; that is also a feat. But I feel that by doing 7 films with an actor, things might become monotonous. There should be variety.”
—Suneel Darshan, Film Director
The ongoing release of Andaaz 2 is scheduled for August 8 in cinemas, continuing the legacy of films connected to both Akshay Kumar and Suneel Darshan. This moment serves as a reminder of the impactful choices behind casting and collaborations in Bollywood’s evolving landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Kajol love Ajay Devgn?
A. Twenty-six years ago, the couple met, fell in love, got married, and started a family. Their relationship is grounded in real life, not a perfect fairy tale. Kajol and Ajay managed challenges and joys gracefully, facing both happy and tough times, laughter and tears, praise and criticism.
