Not Irrfan Khan, THIS Bollywood star was the first choice for the villain in Haasil

The late actor Irrfan Khan gained widespread recognition after his role in Haasil. But did you know, Irrfan was not originally considered for the part? Yes, you read it right!
In a recent conversation with Mashable India, Tigmanshu Dhulia revealed that his initial choice was Manoj Bajpayee, who had risen to fame following his acclaimed performance in the 1998 film Satya. Reflecting on the casting, Tigmanshu shared that Irrfan Khan's involvement was purely coincidental, emphasizing that it was a matter of destiny rather than any deliberate planning.At the time, Bajpayee was filming 'Ghaath' when Dhulia narrated the story of Haasil to him. However, Bajpayee declined the role, stating he wasn’t interested in playing the villain, which led Dhulia to offer the part to Irrfan Khan instead.
Tigmanshu explained that his initial decision to approach Manoj Bajpayee for Haasil was driven by practical reasons. He admitted that, at the time, he was being somewhat selfish, as Bajpayee’s star status would likely attract producers and make the film's production smoother.
The film, which also featured Jimmy Shergill, Hrishita Bhatt, and Rajpal Yadav, was well-received upon release and became a turning point in Irrfan Khan’s career. Following Haasil, Irrfan went on to star in notable films such as 'Footpath', 'Maqbool', and 'Life in a... Metro', solidifying his position in the industry.