Recall how Sanjay Leela Bhansali passed on Kareena Kapoor Khan in favour of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the role of “Paro” in Devdas.
Today, on February 24, Sanjay Leela Bhansali turns one year older. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Black, Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, Devdas, and most recently Gangubai Kathiawadi are just a few of the epic masterpieces the director is renowned for creating. SLB is referred to as a visionary director for a reason, and his films have demonstrated this throughout time. In today’s throwback content, we’ll tell you about the moment Kareena Kapoor Khan criticised him for not including her in one of his films.
The story begins when Bebo claimed SLB passed her through a screen test for the role of “Paro” in Devdas but did not cast her. She continued by saying that she was saddened because it was the start of her career and that she would no longer ever collaborate with him.
When Sanjay Leela Bhansali was questioned about Kareena Kapoor Khan’s accusation, he gave the background information and said that everything genuinely did happen. SLB was cited as saying in an interview with Filmfare in 2002, “She came to my house with Neeta Lulla and said she wants to collaborate with me… I explained to her that I hadn’t seen any of her previous work and that I needed to assess her abilities before casting her. We planned a photo session and outfitted it appropriately. As Babitaji and Karisma Kapoor were also there during the shoot, I made it plain to everyone present that Kareena wasn’t a guarantee to be cast. At the moment, they were fine with that. I told the story after looking over the pictures,
Kareena didn’t say a word then but some days later I found her lashing out at me in print. She accused me of backing out after having given her the signing amount and contract. Believe me, this is not true. She also said I didn’t know how to make films. Kareena is a fabulous girl who’s doing very well in life. However, I’d like to inform her that I do know how to make films. She has tried to tell me that she was misquoted but I’d like her to know that I’ve heard those tapes. Recently, we met at Sikander Kher’s birthday party. I told her that if I have a suitable role for her, I’ll cast her. Till then, I’ll brush up on film-making,” said Sanjay Leela Bhansali further.
Subsequently, Kareena Kapoor Khan responded to the incident, saying that the two hugged it out and that Sanjay Leela Bhansali owed her a solo-heroine movie.
