Do you know Shah Rukh Khan was offered the role of Khilji in Padmavat? SRK reveals why he turned down the role

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Padmavat was a huge success, mesmerizing audiences across the globe with its grandeur and powerful performances. The film not only featured Deepika Padukone’s exemplary portrayal of Rani Padmavati, but also Ranveer Singh’s stellar performance as the villainous Alauddin Khilji.

However, what many may not know is that Ranveer Singh was not the first choice for the coveted role. In a surprising revelation, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was offered the role of Khilji before Ranveer Singh, but he turned it down. In an old interview that recently resurfaced on Reddit, Shah Rukh Khan opened up about his reasons for rejecting the character of Khilji.

See also: Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic ‘Bekarar Karke’ dance from Jawan preview went viral and this talent was responsible for it

In an interview with Film Companion, Shah Rukh Khan candidly expressed the thought process behind turning down the role, without naming the film. He revealed that the main reason he declined the role was his realization that the character of Khilji was based on a historical figure with negative qualities. The actor believed that glorifying such a character and making him likable would not be ethically correct, as it might send the wrong message to the audience.

Shah Rukh Khan explained that though he can portray a “bad guy” character in an engaging manner, he feels responsible for not glamorising negative characteristics. He said, “There were some films that did very well at the box office and I was in them and then I realized that I am playing a real-life character who might not be that person and I told the director that there is no way I can’t like him. And I just feel that person shouldn’t be liked, it’s not something I should sell people. It’s okay that he is, the film is about him but I shouldn’t glorify him. So I left the film at the last minute, it’s a There was a clear decision. My head.”

He further added, “I know I will make him charming, I am not pretending but the way it is written, bad guys can be very charming and I am saying this honestly, I can make bad guys very charming because I think the ultimate good guy and the ultimate bad guy have something in common and that is passion. That’s why I left the role.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Padmavat was a huge success, mesmerizing audiences across the globe with its grandeur and powerful performances. The film not only featured Deepika Padukone’s exemplary portrayal of Rani Padmavati, but also Ranveer Singh’s stellar performance as the villainous Alauddin Khilji.

However, what many may not know is that Ranveer Singh was not the first choice for the coveted role. In a surprising revelation, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was offered the role of Khilji before Ranveer Singh, but he turned it down. In an old interview that recently resurfaced on Reddit, Shah Rukh Khan opened up about his reasons for rejecting the character of Khilji.

See also: Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic ‘Bekarar Karke’ dance from Jawan preview went viral and this talent was responsible for it

In an interview with Film Companion, Shah Rukh Khan candidly expressed the thought process behind turning down the role, without naming the film. He revealed that the main reason he declined the role was his realization that the character of Khilji was based on a historical figure with negative qualities. The actor believed that glorifying such a character and making him likable would not be ethically correct, as it might send the wrong message to the audience.

Shah Rukh Khan explained that though he can portray a “bad guy” character in an engaging manner, he feels responsible for not glamorising negative characteristics. He said, “There were some films that did very well at the box office and I was in them and then I realized that I am playing a real-life character who might not be that person and I told the director that there is no way I can’t like him. And I just feel that person shouldn’t be liked, it’s not something I should sell people. It’s okay that he is, the film is about him but I shouldn’t glorify him. So I left the film at the last minute, it’s a There was a clear decision. My head.”

He further added, “I know I will make him charming, I am not pretending but the way it is written, bad guys can be very charming and I am saying this honestly, I can make bad guys very charming because I think the ultimate good guy and the ultimate bad guy have something in common and that is passion. That’s why I left the role.”