If there is any other Khan who can stand tall in front of the Khan trio of Bollywood, he is none other than Saif Ali Khan. The National Award winning actor has been part of many successful films in his career, like Dil Chahta Hai, Hum Tum and Omkara. But there are a few films that the actor rejected, which could have changed his fortune around. Let's have a look at the list of films rejected by Saif Ali Khan.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)
The film, which catapulted Shah Rukh Khan to the apogee of superstardom, was first offered to Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise as it originally revolved around an Indo-American affair. But veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra, father of director Aditya Chopra, was not very happy with the basic theme of the film, so he changed it to NRI. After some modifications in the script, DDLJ was offered to Saif Ali Khan, but he turned down the offer. Today, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge tops the list of Indian cinema's most successful film and enjoys a cult status.
2 States
Surprised? Yes, it is true that Karan Johar had first offered 2 States to Saif Ali Khan. Having worked with the actor in films like Kal Ho Na Ho and Kurbaan, Dharma Productions' head honcho thought that Khan was the perfect choice to play Krish Malhotra in the film. However, Saif said no to Karan and the film then went to actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan before Arjun Kapoor was signed on. 2 States was a huge success at the ticket window.
Race 3
Saif Ali Khan had been the male lead of Race and Race 2. Both films were highly successful at the box office. So, when the makers decided to launch the third instalment of the series, Khan was the obvious choice. But instead of being offered the lead role, Saif was offered a parallel lead along with superstar Salman Khan, but the Chef actor declined the offer as he did not want to play the second lead given the fact that he had been the leading man in the first two instalments of the franchise.
Jugalbandi
Salman Khan had initially planned to make this film with Pakistani actor, Fawad Khan. However, before the film could go on floors, a blanket ban was put on Pakistani actors against working in India. The film then went to Saif Ali Khan. But the actor could not sign the project on the dotted lines due to his busy schedule. Now it seems that Salman has decided to shelve the film forever.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.