Home / Arts and Entertainment / RGV Passed on SRK for Iconic Gangster Role, Chose Ajay Devgn Instead
RGV Passed on SRK for Iconic Gangster Role, Chose Ajay Devgn Instead
24 Oct
Summary
- RGV originally offered SRK the role of N Mallik in 2002 film Company
- RGV felt SRK's energetic style didn't fit the subtle, laid-back persona of Mallik
- Ajay Devgn was a better fit for the role, which RGV confirmed after meeting SRK

According to a recent interview, acclaimed filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma had initially approached Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan for the role of N Mallik in his 2002 iconic gangster drama Company. RGV explained that while SRK had expressed interest in the project, the director ultimately felt the actor's natural energy and lively body language would not suit the subtle, laid-back persona of the character.
"I thought SRK's natural energy would go against that. To make Shah Rukh still would be an injustice to both him and the film," RGV said. Instead, the director decided to cast Ajay Devgn, who he felt was a better fit for the role due to his calm and measured acting style.
RGV also revealed that his first choice for the role of Chandrakant "Chandru" Nagre was Abhishek Bachchan, but scheduling conflicts led him to cast newcomer Vivek Oberoi in the part. The director's decision to pass on SRK for the N Mallik role came after a single meeting, where he realized the casting wouldn't work.



