Vidya Balan, a celebrated figure in Bollywood, recently offered a peek into her early days in the industry, sharing a delightful anecdote about a film she once turned down, which would have seen her star opposite Akshaye Khanna. She confessed that her decision stemmed from a lack of connection with the script, and rather than directly conveying her refusal, she chose to have her manager deliver the message. This choice led to a memorable, and somewhat humorous, encounter later on.
The paths of Vidya and Akshaye crossed again on the set of the 2007 film Salaam-e-Ishq. It was there that Akshaye brought up the past rejection, much to Vidya’s initial dismay. At a recent event, Vidya Balan recounted the moment, stating, “There was a film offered to me opposite Akshaye Khanna, and for some reason, I didn’t connect with the script. But I didn’t pick up the phone and tell him that. I asked my manager to convey it to the director.”
She continued, detailing Akshaye’s reaction: “And then I met Akshaye on the sets of Salaam-E-Ishq. And he fired me. He was like ‘why didn’t you tell me you didn’t want to do the film?’” Feeling flustered as a newcomer, Vidya playfully admitted to seeking help: “I went up to John and said, ‘Can you please save me?’ (laughs). Because I was so new, I didn’t want any confrontation. I didn’t want to hurt anyone or make anyone feel bad, or just feel like I was refusing a film with them.” She then realized the true nature of Akshaye’s playful demeanor, concluding, “But of course, he was only pulling my leg. I later realized.”
This charming story offers a glimpse into the camaraderie and lightheartedness that can exist even behind the scenes in the demanding world of cinema.
