Madhoo reveals she was offered Shilpa’s role in Baazigar

Madhoo Shah, who is best known for her work in iconic films like Phool Aur Kaante and Roja, recently revealed that she was once offered a role opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the 1993 blockbuster Baazigar. The role eventually launched Shilpa Shetty’s Bollywood career, but Madhoo says she has no regrets.

Speaking to News18, the actress opened up about the long-standing speculation around her connection to Baazigar, a film that completed 30 years recently.‘No regrets, it was meant for Shilpa,’ says MadhooWhile reflecting on the decision to turn down the film, Madhoo said she never really dwelled on it. “You know, I would like to fashionably say that I don’t regret any of my decisions. I have never spared a thought like, ‘Oh, what did I do? Why didn’t I do Baazigar?’ It was never like that,” she shared.She further added that the role, which marked Shilpa Shetty's debut, was destined for her. “It was meant for Shilpa. The way Shilpa did it, I think she was stunning. It was her thing. It was her debut. It was meant for her, so that’s why it went to her.”Despite her acceptance of how things unfolded, Madhoo acknowledged that Baazigar continues to hold a special place in her memory. “So, when you ask me if I regret the decision, I would say no. But it is still on my mind. It had the best music, it was with Shah Rukh, and it was a great success,” she admitted.

Shilpa Shetty called Shah Rukh Khan her ‘acting school’As Baazigar turned 30, Shilpa Shetty shared a nostalgic post on social media, expressing her gratitude for being part of the film. She credited Shah Rukh Khan for helping her through the early days on set, calling him “the one and only acting school.”In multiple interviews over the years, Shilpa has consistently spoken about how SRK made her feel comfortable during her first film and guided her through the process with kindness and professionalism.Madhoo’s next: Kannappa in Telugu cinemaWhile the Baazigar chapter remains a “what if” in Madhoo’s career, she’s far from done with the movies. The veteran actress will soon appear in the upcoming Telugu film Kannappa, continuing her journey across Indian cinema.