Shekhar Suman and not Jackie Shroff was supposed to play Chunnilal in SRK’s Devdas.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali initially approached Shekhar Suman for the role of Chunnilal in Devdas.
The highest-grossing Indian film of the year 2002, Devdas completed 21 years in 2023. This British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) nominee film was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and it featured Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, and Jackie Shroff amongst others. The movie was based on the 1917 romantic novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay named Devdas.
Needless to say, Devdas is loved by the masses even today. But did you know that Shekhar Suman, and not Jackie Shroff was Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s first choice for the character of Chunnilal?
Shekhar Suman, who is gearing up for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming web series Heeramandi, shared in his latest interview that he was initially approached to play Chunnilal,
“It’s my privilege that Sanjay Leela Bhansali gave me work. He selected me for a pivotal role in Heeramandi, I am doing that currently. Long ago, he had offered me the role of Chunnilal in Devdas but I couldn’t do that then. Then Jackie Shroff was cast in the role and it’s good that he did that role. But I had that regret in my life that I couldn’t work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali but my wish has been granted in Heeramandi.”
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus, Devdas, is a commercially successful movie that hit the theatres in 2002. From extravagant sets to elaborate dance sequences, Devdas won the hearts of the audience with its heartbreaking storyline, soulful songs and exceptional performances. The movie starred Shah Rukh Khan as Devdas, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Paro, and Madhuri Dixit essayed the role of Chandramukhi, while Jackie Shroff portrayed Chunni Lal. Hailed as a classic, Devdas was one of the most expensive aesthetic films. It faced many problems during filming and made it challenging for the actor to work in it.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus, Devdas, is a commercially successful movie that hit the theatres in 2002. From extravagant sets to elaborate dance sequences, Devdas won the hearts of the audience with its heartbreaking storyline, soulful songs and exceptional performances. The movie starred Shah Rukh Khan as Devdas, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Paro, and Madhuri Dixit essayed the role of Chandramukhi, while Jackie Shroff portrayed Chunni Lal. Hailed as a classic, Devdas was one of the most expensive aesthetic films. It faced many problems during filming and made it challenging for the actor to work in it.
Devdas became the highest-grossing film of the year and minted Rs 41. 66 crore at the domestic box office, which was a big deal back in 2002. The music rights too were sold for Rs 12.5 crore.
