'Taal' trivia: When Subhash Ghai revealed how Anil Kapoor came on board after Govinda declined the role

In a throwback interview, Subhash Ghai gave a shocker to all the 'Taal' fans when he revealed that Anil Kapoor was not the first choice for the lead role. The filmmaker revealed that he initially wrote the part for Govinda; however, the 'Coolie No. 1' actor rejected the offer for a surprising reason that the character offered to him would not get the girl.

In an interview with CNN-News18, Subhash Ghai recalled Govinda saying, "mere pass achchi picture nahi hai (but I don't have a good film)," despite his success at the box office. He even asked Ghai to make a film specifically with him. When Ghai narrated the script of ‘Taal,’ which included a character of a dancer, Govinda felt sidelined, noting that Akshaye Khanna would get the girl. "Woh bola, heroine toh Akshaye Khanna le jata hai. Toh main aise character actor ban jaunga (He said that Akshaye Khanna is going to get the girl. Then I will become a character actor," Ghai shared.

Anil Kapoor takes the lead

With Govinda stepping aside, Anil Kapoor accepted the role and went on to deliver a performance that earned him critical acclaim. Ghai also highlighted that Akshaye Khanna’s role, though smaller, was equally appreciated by audiences. When Ghai showed the songs of ‘Taal’ to Akshaye, the actor reportedly asked what he would be doing in the film. Ghai explained that his part was about demonstrating faith in love, a nuance that worked well within the story.

Reflections from Anil Kapoor

In August 2022, as ‘Taal’ completed 23 years, Anil Kapoor reflected on the film, noting that he was destined to play the role. He mentioned that the lead part was first offered to Govinda and expressed gratitude for being part of such an iconic movie. Kapoor added that his performance in ‘Taal’ caught the attention of Danny Boyle, eventually leading to his role in ‘Slumdog Millionaire.’ He also thanked Subhash Ghai for their long-term collaborations.

Cast, music, and legacy

‘Taal’ also featured Aishwarya Rai, Amrish Puri, and Alok Nath. Composed by AR Rahman, the film’s music became a defining element of its success. Released on August 13, 1999, ‘Taal’ continues to be remembered for its performances, music, and impact on late 90s Bollywood cinema.

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