1 week ago
Puneet Vashisht Says Josh Scenes Were Cut, Recalls Depression
Puneet Vashisht acted with Shah Rukh Khan in the film Josh.
He played Ronnie, a friend and sidekick in Khan’s gang.
Vashisht said many scenes involving his character were removed from the final film.
He believed his energetic dancing sometimes attracted more attention than Khan’s.
He said he had trained Khan in dance for the movie.
Vashisht connected being overlooked by industry groups with later depression and alcoholism.
He now views that difficult period as part of his life journey.
He also says Josh gave him valuable opportunities and that people still remember his performance.
The article contains a timing discrepancy: his original statement says four and a half months, while one translation says four and a half years.
Puneet Vashisht said several scenes featuring him were cut from the 2000 film Josh.
He said he had trained Shah Rukh Khan in dance and that his energetic jumps sometimes drew attention away from Khan.
Vashisht said he understood why scenes might have been removed while Khan was becoming a major star.
He attributed later depression and alcoholism to being sidelined by industry groups and having few opportunities to use his talent.
He said he was immature at the time because he focused on what he lost rather than what Josh gave him.
- Who
- Actor Puneet Vashisht, Shah Rukh Khan, and director Mansoor Khan are central to the account.
- What
- Vashisht recalled that scenes featuring his character in Josh were cut and discussed the personal difficulties he experienced afterward.
- Where
- The discussion took place on the Dil Se Dil Ki Baatein program; the film was part of the Indian film industry.
- When
- Josh was released in 2000; Vashisht said he was 20 when he made it. He discussed the experience recently on Dil Se Dil Ki Baatein, in an article published August 22, 2026.
- Why
- Vashisht said his energy drew attention during filming and that industry groups later sidelined him, which he linked to his depression and alcoholism.
Puneet Vashisht’s account
No response reported from filmmakers
Why scenes were cut
Puneet Vashisht’s account
Vashisht said his dance energy and larger jumps shifted attention toward him, contributing to scenes being cut while Shah Rukh Khan was rising as a star.
No response reported from filmmakers
The reports do not include a response from Shah Rukh Khan, Mansoor Khan, or the producers explaining the editing decisions.
Industry exclusion
Puneet Vashisht’s account
Vashisht said groups and lobbies associated with the emerging nepotism system avoided him, leaving his talent and confidence underused.
No response reported from filmmakers
The reports provide no independent confirmation or alternative account about whether nepotism or industry groups caused his reduced opportunities.
His view of the experience
Puneet Vashisht’s account
Vashisht now says Josh gave him a great deal and that he was immature for focusing on what he lost rather than what he gained.
No response reported from filmmakers
No other participant’s assessment of Vashisht’s role, the cuts, or their effects is provided.
Key facts
- Film
- Josh
- Release year
- 2000
- Character
- Puneet Vashisht played Ronnie, a member of the Eagle gang and a friend and sidekick to Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Max.
- Director
- Mansoor Khan
- Vashisht’s age
- He said he was 20 when he made Josh.
- Reported personal impact
- Vashisht said he entered depression and alcoholism after feeling his talent and confidence were not being used.
- Filming-duration discrepancy
- His quoted original statement says the film took four and a half months, while the article’s translation says four and a half years.
Quotes
Puneet Vashisht
Actor who played Ronnie in Josh
“Shah Rukh Khan as an actor… as an actor ki aulaad main unko dissect kar sakta hoon. Main unko ek great actor nahi bulaunga, lekin ek creative, energetic superstar bolta hoon. Entertaining banda hai.”
news18.com
“Meri immaturity yeh thi ki I focused on what I lost, not what I got.”
NDTV
Sources
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