Films rejected by Sunny Deol that later became blockbusters

Sunny Deol, the powerhouse of action cinema, has delivered legendary performances over decades. But behind the scenes, he also passed on roles that later turned into iconic milestones in Bollywood. Sometimes it was about timing, other times a creative mismatch but the films he said no to became mega-hits for other stars.

Sunny Deol was one of the actors approached for the lead role of Bhuvan, the village farmer who leads his people against the British in a cricket match. Deol declined the role, reportedly because the film’s unconventional mix of sports and colonial history didn’t align with his mass-action image. Aamir Khan eventually took up the role and turned 'Lagaan' into a historic Oscar-nominated film. Sunny’s refusal cost him the chance to be a part of one of Indian cinema’s most iconic films on the global stage.

The gripping revenge drama 'Baazigar' was first offered to Sunny Deol, but he reportedly declined as he was uneasy with the morally grey role. Shah Rukh Khan embraced the character’s twisted duality and the film became a blockbuster. Audiences loved the bold storyline and SRK’s performance set him apart from the typical romantic hero. Had Sunny accepted, it might have added a new layer to his filmography but the chance passed.

Yash Raj Films had Sunny Deol on their radar for 'DDLJ' before Shah Rukh Khan came on board. The story’s romantic tone didn’t align with Sunny’s action-heavy roles at the time, so he declined. SRK stepped in and the film became a timeless love story. It still runs in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir decades later. Sunny’s rugged persona would’ve made for a very different “Raj” but history had other plans.

The role of Kabir Khan, the fallen hockey star turned coach, was offered to Sunny Deol before Shah Rukh Khan. It was a character driven by quiet emotion and inner conflict not the loud heroism Sunny was known for. He let it go, and SRK delivered one of his most restrained, brilliant performances. 'Chak De! India' became a defining sports film, blending patriotism and empowerment with finesse.

Sunny Deol was considered for the role of DJ, the rebellious heart of 'Rang De Basanti.' He turned it down and Aamir Khan took over, bringing layered intensity to the part. The film became a youth movement, mixing history with modern age. It resonated across generations and earned cult status. Sunny’s patriotic image may have fit but Aamir’s performance made it unforgettable.