Near Miss: Bakhtiyaar Irani Almost Landed Role in "Ae Watan Mere Watan"
Bakhtiyaar Irani, a known face in Hindi films and television, recently shared a story of a near miss that left him heartbroken. He was set to star in Karan Johar's historical biopic, "Ae Watan Mere Watan," but was replaced at the eleventh hour.
Irani revealed that he was chosen to portray a crucial character â the Parsi man who helps Sara Ali Khan's character build a radio. The role ultimately went to Anand Tiwari, who directed the upcoming Dharma film "Bad Newz."
Irani detailed how he had meticulously prepared for the role, even shedding 8 kgs in a month and a half, after being told he was too bulky for the 1940s setting. He was on the verge of signing the contract, and had already shared the news with his family and friends, confident that the project was his.
"Everything was done. I told my wife and family and my close circle of friends about it, I told about 30 people as I was signing it the next day," he shared. "I wondered what could go wrong, so I told them. But then it didnât happen."
While he hasn't received any specific feedback about why he lost the role, Irani expressed his disappointment, hinting at a potential reason: "Bigger name, (not) a good actor⦠and I have gone through auditions, proper auditions. Kanan, the director, he loved me. Everything was proper. But I decided not to talk about it... But it was a very big jhatka for me because (it would have been a big opportunity) for me."
Irani's story highlights the uncertainties that come with pursuing a career in acting. Despite his dedication and hard work, he ultimately faced rejection, a common experience for many in the industry.
