Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Avinash Wadhawan reveals he rejected Chhaava's Aurangzeb, Deewana offers
Avinash Wadhawan is an actor who used to be very famous in old Bollywood movies.
He recently spoke to an interviewer and told them about roles he said no to.
He was asked to play Aurangzeb in the movie Chhaava.
Aurangzeb is an old king with white hair and a long white beard in the film.
But the role only had two or three scenes, so Wadhawan thought it was too small.
He said he did not even go to meet the filmmakers.
Another actor, Akshaye Khanna, took the role and did a great job.
The movie became a huge hit and everyone loved it.
Wadhawan also said he turned down Shah Rukh Khan's very first movie, Deewana.
He now jokes that he made these choices himself and has missed out on big opportunities.
Avinash Wadhawan revealed he turned down the role of Aurangzeb in Laxman Utekar's Chhaava opposite Vicky Kaushal.
He said he was not impressed by the character's limited screen time of just two or three scenes and the old-age look with white hair and beard.
The role eventually went to Akshaye Khanna, who did a very good job as the film became a massive blockbuster.
Wadhawan also revealed he was originally offered Shah Rukh Khan's debut film Deewana but refused because he did not want to play second lead to Rishi Kapoor.
He said he has 'jeopardised' his chances around 10 times and credited Shah Rukh Khan's success partly to luck.
- Who
- Avinash Wadhawan, an actor known for films like Junoon, Geet and Balmaa, who spoke to Hindi Rush; also involving Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Shah Rukh Khan and Laxman Utekar.
- What
- Wadhawan revealed he turned down the role of Aurangzeb in Chhaava and also refused Shah Rukh Khan's debut film Deewana.
- When
- Recently, during a conversation with Hindi Rush (no specific date given in the article).
- Where
- Bollywood, the Indian Hindi film industry.
- Why
- He was not impressed by Aurangzeb's limited screen time and aged look, and he did not want to play second lead to Rishi Kapoor in Deewana.
- Film
- Chhaava
- Director
- Laxman Utekar
- Lead actor
- Vicky Kaushal
- Role turned down
- Aurangzeb
- Role performed by
- Akshaye Khanna
- Offered screen time
- Two or three scenes
- Other film turned down
- Deewana (Shah Rukh Khan's debut)
- Interview outlet
- Hindi Rush
- Outcome
- Chhaava became a massive blockbuster