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The 1993 film Baazigar proved to be a huge hit, due to which Shahrukh Khan gained fame. Although Shahrukh Khan was not the first choice for this film. Before him, the film's directors Abbas-Mustan wanted Anil Kapoor to play the lead role in the film, but they also refused. When Salman Khan also rejected the film, coincidentally Shahrukh Khan was cast in the film.
Baazigar director Abbas Mastan had revealed this while talking to Komal Nahata in an old interview. He told, when we completed the story of Baazigar, the first thing we went to was Anil Kapoor. At that time he was shooting for the film Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. He replied that the subject of the film is quite risky. He said that the story of the film is good, but he will not be a part of it.
After Anil Kapoor, Baazigar producer Ratan Jain had decided to cast Salman Khan. He had become a star with the film Maine Pyar Kiya and at that time Salman Khan was shooting for Rajshree Production's family film. When the producer called Salman Khan's house, his father Salim Khan clearly refused to answer. Salim Saheb did not want Salman to do any film in which he would have a negative role amidst family films.
Shahrukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan with director duo Abbas-Mustan.
The director and producer of the film were worried, meanwhile they saw his performance in Shahrukh Khan's film Deewana. While Shahrukh's name was being considered, one day he coincidentally came to the office of Venus Films. He met directors Abbas-Mustan and praised their film Khiladi. In the conversation, Shahrukh said that he would love to be a part of a thriller film like Khiladi with him in future. The very next day Abbas-Mustan approached Shahrukh for the film Baazigar and the deal was finalized. Shahrukh was given the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for this film. This proved to be the turning point in his career.