3 days ago
Subhash Ghai’s Taal Casting Doubts Changed After Watching Iruvar
Subhash Ghai was choosing an actress for his musical film Taal.
Saroj Khan suggested Aishwarya Rai because the role required strong dancing skills.
Ghai initially thought Rai was mainly connected with modelling, beauty pageants and glamour.
He was unsure whether she could play a simple small-town character.
Then he watched Iruvar, her acting debut directed by Mani Ratnam.
Her performance convinced him that she was right for Taal.
Rai played a character named Mansi.
Ghai asked her to begin the film without makeup and become more glamorous as the story progressed.
Taal was released in 1999 and became a major success.
Subhash Ghai initially doubted Aishwarya Rai was suited to Taal’s lead role.
Choreographer Saroj Khan recommended Rai for the film’s demanding dance sequences.
Ghai changed his mind after watching Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Iruvar.
Rai was cast as Mansi and appeared without makeup at the beginning of Taal.
Released in 1999, Taal starred Rai, Anil Kapoor and Akshaye Khanna, with music by A. R. Rahman.
- Who
- Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, actress Aishwarya Rai and choreographer Saroj Khan were central to the casting decision; Anil Kapoor and Akshaye Khanna also starred in Taal.
- What
- Ghai initially questioned Rai’s suitability for Taal before changing his mind after watching her in Iruvar.
- Where
- The films involved were Taal and Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Iruvar.
- When
- Taal was released in 1999, while Ghai discussed the casting in a recent interview.
- Why
- Ghai initially associated Rai with modelling, beauty pageants and cosmetics, but Iruvar convinced him she had the acting ability required for Taal.
Key facts
- Film
- Taal
- Release year
- 1999
- Lead role
- Aishwarya Rai played Mansi.
- Recommendation
- Saroj Khan recommended Rai when Ghai asked who could handle the role’s dance demands.
- Casting turning point
- Ghai changed his opinion after watching Iruvar.
- Co-stars
- Anil Kapoor and Akshaye Khanna
- Music
- A. R. Rahman
Quotes
Subhash Ghai
Filmmaker who directed Taal and recalled casting Aishwarya Rai.
“When actor surrenders to the director, then things happen. They should surrender. Amitabh Bachchan always used to tell me that he sees a filmmaker's passion, listen to two lines of the film's story and says yes, because it's that director's film. The problem with many stars is that they try to become a creative partner. Aishwarya Rai, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, all three of them surrendered. She was very hard working and fully committed.”
NDTV
“Mani Ratnam kept a trial for me and when I saw the Tamil movie Iruvar, I knew that she was the girl. I told her that you won't have makeup at all in the beginning and then it would increase slowly, and you would eventually become a diva.”
deccanchronicle.com
NDTV
Sources
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