3 weeks ago
Sunny Deol's Damini role was originally written for Om Puri
A director named Rajkumar Santoshi told fun stories about his old movies.
He made a famous movie called Damini in 1993.
At first, he wanted actor Om Puri to play the lawyer, but the plan did not work out.
So he asked Sunny Deol instead, and Sunny said yes right away.
People loved his big courtroom speech.
The director also decided not to put songs in parts of the movie, even though people expected songs back then.
He wanted the story to stay strong.
Later, he made another movie called Ghatak with Sunny Deol.
Now, after many years, the two are making a new movie together called Batwara 1947, coming out on August 14.
Rajkumar Santoshi revealed that Om Puri was originally meant to play the lawyer in Damini opposite Amrish Puri, but the plan fell through over pricing disagreements.
Sunny Deol then took the role of advocate Govind without hesitation, despite knowing Damini was primarily Meenakshi Seshadri's film.
Santoshi deliberately kept songs out of key portions of Damini despite producer pressure, saying they would interrupt the narrative.
Kamal Haasan was first offered Ghatak, but pricing complications involving partner Bharat Shah led to Sunny Deol starring in it instead.
Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi reunite after nearly 30 years with Batwara 1947, a Partition-era drama backed by Aamir Khan Productions releasing on August 14.
- Who
- Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi and actor Sunny Deol shared behind-the-scenes stories about their 1990s hits Damini and Ghatak.
- What
- Revelations that Om Puri was originally cast for Sunny Deol's Damini role, songs were deliberately omitted, and Kamal Haasan was first offered Ghatak.
- Where
- The Hindi film industry (Bollywood); the interview aired on Fever FM.
- When
- Shared in a recent Fever FM interview; Damini released in 1993, and the duo's next film Batwara 1947 arrives on August 14.
- Why
- To reveal the untold casting and creative decisions behind the classic films and to promote the duo's long-awaited reunion.
Key facts
- Film
- Damini (1993)
- Lawyer role originally written for
- Om Puri
- Role ultimately played by
- Sunny Deol (advocate Govind)
- Ghatak originally offered to
- Kamal Haasan
- Song policy
- No songs in key portions, against 1990s convention
- Upcoming film
- Batwara 1947
- Release date
- August 14
- Backed by
- Aamir Khan Productions
Quotes
Rajkumar Santoshi
Director of Damini, interviewed on Fever FM
“Sunny sir wasn’t supposed to be in it originally. Om Puri sir was supposed to be in it.”
indianexpress.com
“I wanted Om Puri to play the lawyer and have a clash with Amrish Puri’s character.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Sunny Deol Reprises Ghatak Role in New Santoshi Film
Sunny Deol, Rajkumar Santoshi Plan Non-Sequel Ghatak Follow-Up
Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi Reportedly Plan Ghatak Sequel
Why Investors Considered Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947 Risky
Sunny Deol Fights Fanaticism in Partition Drama Batwara 1947
Amrish Puri’s Son Recalls Rajinikanth Apology and Bollywood Bonds
Films Raise Awareness of Violence but Cannot End It
Esha Deol Returns to Comedy in Malamaal Weekly 2
Polio Warrior’s 20-Year Mission Leads Top Videos Of Week
This Week’s OTT Releases Span Romance, Comedy And Action
Rajkumar Santoshi Discusses Cast Relations During Andaz Apna Apna
