Salman Khan's missed roles: Films he turned down

Salman Khan, a prominent figure in Bollywood, has carved a niche with his distinct style and on-screen persona. However, his career path is also marked by a series of notable film rejections, where he passed on roles that later became significant hits. These decisions, often influenced by factors like creative alignment, image considerations, and personal preferences, offer a glimpse into the alternate trajectories his career could have taken and the "what ifs" that accompany a star's journey.

Directed by Mansoor Khan, "Josh" was a tale of rival gangs in Goa, featuring Shah Rukh Khan as the lead. Initially, Salman Khan was offered the role of ‘Max Dias,’ the role eventually played by Shah Rukh Khan. It is said that things didn’t work out with Salman as he did not want to play Aishwarya Rai’s brother in the film. They were reportedly dating back then, and it made Salman uncomfortable to portray the role of Rai’s brother in the film. The film, while moderately successful, couldn’t achieve the same level of iconic status as some of Salman's other projects.

Shimit Amin's "Chak De! India" is a critically acclaimed sports drama about the resurgence of the Indian women's hockey team. Salman Khan was offered the pivotal role of Kabir Khan, the team's coach, which Shah Rukh Khan later portrayed. Reportedly, Salman had found the film's serious tone and lack of typical Bollywood "masala" elements unappealing to his set of audience. The film's focus on sports and social commentary, rather than pure entertainment, might have affected the actor’s decision, given his streak of commercial and comedy films at that time. This movie is known for its strong script and acting and is considered a modern classic.

Abbas-Mustan's "Baazigar" is a thriller known for Shah Rukh Khan's anti-hero role. Salman Khan was reportedly offered the role of Vicky Malhotra, which ultimately went to Shah Rukh Khan. In a conversation with the media, Salman stated that the character's morally ambiguous nature was quite different from his established image. The audience speculated that the negative aspects associated with the role could have also contributed to this decision. This movie is known for its exciting plot twists and great performance.

Reema Kagti's "Talaash" is a suspense thriller with a complex narrative and Aamir Khan in the lead. Salman Khan was offered the lead role of Surjan Singh Shekhawat, a troubled police officer, which was later portrayed by Aamir Khan. Reports suggest that Salman may have felt the role's introspective and serious nature didn't align with his preference for more mainstream entertainment. The movie is known for its complex plot.

A.R. Murugadoss's "Ghajini" is an action thriller with a unique narrative, starring Aamir Khan. Salman Khan was offered the role of Sanjay Singhania, a man with short-term memory loss, which Aamir Khan ultimately played. It's speculated that Salman may have found the role's demanding physical and emotional requirements challenging. This film was a box office success. It is possible that he did not want to work with Aamir Khan at that time.