Koyla, released in 1997, starred Bollywood superstars Shahrukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit. Directed by Rakesh Roshan, the movie promised everything – an engaging story, top-notch performances, memorable music, and intense action sequences. Despite all this, the movie did not perform well at the box office, leaving the filmmaker devastated.
Dil To Pagal Hai, Devdas, and Anjaam were some of the notable collaborations between Shahrukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit in the 90s. However, Koyla was an exception. The film had great expectations but fell short, and this deeply affected its director, Rakesh Roshan, who had invested his heart, soul, and money into the project.
A Dream Project Gone Wrong
Rakesh Roshan saw Koyla as a dream project. He invested all his savings and earnings in the film. According to Hrithik Roshan, who recently opened up in an interview with Komal Nahta, Koyla was not just a film for his father; it was his everything. When the movie failed to perform at the box office, it was more than just financial loss – it shattered Rakesh Roshan emotionally. He had not only lost all his money but also his confidence.
Hrithik shared how his father broke down after the film’s failure. “He cried a lot,” Hrithik revealed, saying it was a painful experience for the family to witness Rakesh Roshan, a seasoned filmmaker, in such distress.
Rejection of the Lead Role by Sunny Deol
Interestingly, the role of Shahrukh Khan in Koyla was originally offered to Sunny Deol. Reports suggest that Sunny Deol declined the role because he wasn’t interested in portraying a character that couldn’t speak. After Sunny Deol’s refusal, the role landed in Shahrukh Khan’s lap, and he did justice to the part with his exceptional performance. But despite the star cast and Rakesh Roshan’s grand vision, the movie couldn’t strike a chord with the audience.
Hrithik Recalls His Father’s Emotional Moments
Hrithik Roshan also mentioned in the interview that he had only seen his father cry three times in his life – once when Kaho Na Pyaar Hai was released, the second time when Hrithik underwent brain surgery, and the third time when Koyla flopped. This paints a vivid picture of how deeply the failure of Koyla impacted Rakesh Roshan.
The Financial Losses and Roshan’s Comeback
Made on a budget of Rs 12 crore, Koyla managed to earn only Rs 28 crore worldwide despite its stellar cast and production value. For Rakesh Roshan, the film’s underperformance was a huge financial setback, as he had spent every penny he had earned, hoping for the film’s success. Even worse, those who owed Rakesh Roshan money vanished after the film’s failure, adding to his woes.
However, Rakesh Roshan’s story didn’t end with Koyla. Instead of giving up, he bounced back stronger. With films like Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, Koi Mil Gaya, and Krrish, Rakesh Roshan not only revived his career but also cemented his legacy as a successful director and producer. Today, his contributions to Bollywood are celebrated, and he continues to inspire with his journey from failure to success.
