Yash Chopra was one of the finest filmmakers in Indian cinema. The iconic director made many iconic movies under his banner, Yash Raj Productions, which went on to become blockbuster hits. One such film was Darr, starring Sunny Deol, Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla in the lead roles. Though Shah Rukh played an antagonist in the film, his character was loved by the audience.
The film was a major commercial success and was declared a blockbuster at the box office. Even though Sunny Deol played the protagonist and portrayed the role of a dutiful husband, it was Shah Rukh’s character of an obsessive lover, which was applauded by critics and audiences alike. However, it was Sunny Deol, who was taken aback when SRK’s character managed to take over the limelight.
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In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Sunny Deol talked about the film’s success and how he didn’t know that the audience would glorify the villain. In his words:
“At the end of the day, people loved me in the film. They loved Shah Rukh Khan as well. My only issue with the film was that I did not know they would glorify the villain. I always work in films with an open heart and believe the person.”
In the same interview, Sunny also talked about his disappointment with Yash Chopra and stated that he would never work with him again. Speaking about the same, Sunny shared:
“I believe working with trust. Unfortunately, we have many actors and stars who don’t function in this manner. Maybe that’s the way they want to get their stardom. I’ll never work with Yash Chopra again. He isn’t a man of his words. I don’t have good memories of him, he betrayed my faith in him.”
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Sunny Deol was one of the top actors during that time, and Shah Rukh Khan was still struggling to make a name for himself in the film industry. It was reported that Sunny Deol was given a choice to pick the two characters, but the actor got shocked when after the film’s release, Shah Rukh’s character got more prominence than him.
Before Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt was suppose to play the same role, but because of his jail term, Yash Chopra was unable to finalise him. Later, Sudesh Berry was considered for the role but was rejected after the screen test. Ajay Devgn too couldn't do the film because of date issues. Yash Chopra then approached Aamir Khan, who asked him for a joint narration of the script with Sunny Deol, so that there are no ego clashes, which the ace director didn't agree to. Aamir was also unhappy with the climax where Sunny's character beats 'Rahul'. Aamir was later removed from the project and the role ultimately went to Shah Rukh Khan.
In an appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, Sunny Deol recounted his heated argument with Yash Chopra during the making of Darr. Talking about how he disagreed with the climax of the film, Sunny said:
“I had a heated discussion with Yash Chopra regarding that scene. I tried explaining that I am a commando officer in the film. My character is an expert and fit, then how can this boy beat me easily? He can beat me if I can’t see him. If he can stab me while I am looking at him, then I won’t be called a commando.”
When Yash Chopra didn’t pay any heed to Sunny, the actor got so angry that he ripped his own pants. Talking about the same, Sunny stated:
“I put my hands inside my pocket as I was very angry. Soon, out of anger, I didn't even realise that I had ripped my pants with my hands."
After the incident, Sunny pledged never to work with Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Chopra and didn’t even speak to SRK for 16 years.
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