THIS actor was the original choice for Anil Kapoor in Yudh

In the ever-shifting scenery of Bollywood, immoderate names softly gaffe done the cracks, leaving down haunting echoes of what could person been. Raj Kiran is 1 specified name—a talented histrion whose delicate performances successful films similar Arth and Karz near an indelible mark, yet whose abrupt disappearance from the nationalist oculus turned him into a tragic mystery. On his 76th birthday, the manufacture inactive wonders: wherever is Raj Kiran?In an exclusive revelation to ETimes, filmmaker Rajiv Rai opens up astir an often-overlooked section successful Bollywood history—how Raj Kiran was the archetypal prime for the iconic ‘Jhakaas’ relation that yet made Anil Kapoor a household name. Rai not lone reflects connected his lone casting regret but besides offers a uncommon behind-the-scenes glimpse into the decisions that shaped Yudh, a movie remembered for its bold communicative and Kapoor’s treble role.Where is Raj Kiran—the affable histrion from Mahesh Bhatt’s Arth, who sang Jagjit Singh’s Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho to Shabana Azmi—on his 76th day today, wherever helium whitethorn be?What truly happened to him?Filmmaker Rajiv Rai, who had formed Raj Kiran successful a pivotal relation successful Yudh, recalls however the histrion was yet dropped from the blockbuster.“I person lone 1 regret erstwhile it comes to casting successful my films—and that happened successful Yudh. The quality that Anil Kapoor played, the 1 who famously said ‘Jhakaas’, was primitively written for Raj Kiran.

But I ended up knocking the quality disconnected excessively aboriginal successful the plot. I realized that was a mistake, but by the clip I saw the film, it was excessively late.”

That, Rai says, remains his lone casting misstep.“Apart from that 1 incident, I’ve ne'er felt regretful astir immoderate of my casting choices. In Yudh, I shouldn’t person killed disconnected Anil Kapoor’s ‘Jhakaas’ quality successful the 12th oregon 13th reel—out of a full of astir 17 reels. Yes, we utilized to enactment with carnal reels successful those days.

So, astir two-thirds into the film, the quality of the atrocious guy—one of Anil’s treble roles—gets killed.”Rajiv admits helium ne'er anticipated that the now-iconic ‘Jhakaas’ catchphrase would resonate truthful profoundly with audiences.“I was ever a spot skeptical. The publication had been written 5 years earlier the movie was shot, primitively with Raj Kiran successful mind. That worked good successful theory. But erstwhile Anil Kapoor came connected committee and delivered specified a beardown performance, I realized—my God, I’m sidesplitting disconnected the precise quality the assemblage is loving! So yes, successful hindsight, I deliberation I made a mistake there.”