Deepak Tijori Missed Out on Baazigar Before SRK Took Over – Here’s the Untold Story

Actor Deepak Tijori reveals how he was initially involved in the film that launched Shah Rukh Khan’s dark hero era, and why he never held a grudge.

Before Baazigar became a game-changing hit for Shah Rukh Khan in 1993, it was nearly a different story altogether—one that could have featured Deepak Tijori in a very different career-defining light.

In a recent interview with India Today, actor Deepak Tijori—fondly remembered for playing lovable best friends in Aashiqui (1990) and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)—opened up about a significant what-if moment from his early career. He revealed that he was involved in the initial development of Baazigar, the psychological thriller that not only shocked audiences with its twisted narrative but also cemented Shah Rukh Khan as Bollywood’s rising anti-hero.

“I had actually narrated the story of Baazigar to Abbas-Mustan,” Tijori said. “They were supposed to direct it. But later, they went to Shah Rukh.”

The discovery came as a surprise to Tijori during a casual visit to Khan’s home. “Shah and I were friends. One day, I saw this VHS tape of A Kiss Before Dying at his place,” he recalled. “I asked him about it and he said, ‘Your director came to me, left this tape, and told me not to say yes until you say no.’ So he (SRK) waited for me.”

Eventually, the role went to Shah Rukh, who portrayed the morally grey protagonist with such intensity that Baazigar became a blockbuster hit and a key milestone in his rise to superstardom.

But there are no hard feelings on Tijori’s part. “Abbas-Mustan did apologize,” he said. “They told me, ‘Please forgive us, we made a mistake. We’ll compensate you someday.’ And I told them, ‘It’s okay, let it be.’ Everything remained cordial.”

Reflecting on the camaraderie of the 90s film industry, Tijori added, “Back then, if one of us got a film, the other would step back. There was mutual respect, no bitterness. We were all like best friends.”

Though Baazigar became a career-making moment for SRK, Deepak Tijori’s humility in recalling the missed opportunity offers a nostalgic glimpse into the more respectful dynamics of Bollywood’s earlier era.

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