In the late 1980s, Amitabh Bachchan’s career hit an unexpected roadblock due to his health. Following an accident while shooting for the movie ‘Coolie’ in 1983, Bachchan was diagnosed with a rare disease called Myasthenia Gravis. This illness led to the postponement of several of his film projects, one of them being the now iconic movie Shahenshah.
During this challenging period, the film’s director, Tinu Anand, faced a financial crisis as the production of Shahenshah came to a halt. With money already spent on the cast and crew, Tinu was pressured to either refund investors or find a replacement for Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role. This is when Jackie Shroff’s name entered the picture.
Casting Jackie Shroff as Shahenshah
When Amitabh’s condition forced the delay of Shahenshah, Tinu Anand had to make a difficult decision. He started looking for a new actor who could step into Amitabh’s shoes, and one of the top choices was Jackie Shroff. Tinu recalled that they also approached actor Jeetendra, but he declined, stating that he couldn’t imagine replacing a legend like Amitabh Bachchan.
However, Jackie Shroff was more than willing to take up the role, seeing it as a huge opportunity. At the time, the news of Jackie possibly replacing Amitabh in Shahenshah created a buzz in the industry. Jackie used this spotlight to his advantage, signing three or four films based on this increased attention. For a while, it looked like Jackie might just be the next Shahenshah.
The Difficult Decision to Pause the Film
After a year of searching for a new lead, Tinu Anand ultimately realized that no one could truly replace Amitabh Bachchan in the role of Shahenshah. Despite Jackie Shroff’s rising popularity, Tinu was convinced that the essence of the film could only be captured by Amitabh’s unique charisma and screen presence. As a result, he decided to temporarily stop the project rather than risk losing its potential impact with a different actor.
This decision was not easy for Tinu Anand, who was already under financial strain due to the delays. He admitted that he had to resort to making advertising films to support himself financially during this difficult time. The uncertainty surrounding the film’s future continued to weigh heavily on the production team.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Return Assured by His Brother
The turning point came when Amitabh’s brother, Ajitabh Bachchan, stepped in to assure Tinu that once Amitabh had recovered, he would complete his unfinished films, including Shahenshah. This assurance gave Tinu the confidence to wait for Amitabh’s return.
Eventually, Amitabh Bachchan did recover, and in 1988, Shahenshah was finally released. The film went on to become one of the biggest hits of Bachchan’s career, solidifying his legendary status in Bollywood.
Jackie Shroff, though not part of Shahenshah, continued to enjoy his own successful career. But for a brief moment in history, he came close to playing a role that is now considered an iconic part of Indian cinema.
