Exclusive information from Subhash Ghai explains why Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit weren’t cast in Pardes
The “showman” of Bollywood, Subhash Ghai, recalls how Mahima Chaudhary became an overnight sensation when he was working on Pardes. The director also disclosed that despite demand from many to sign superstars for the movie, such as Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit, he stuck to his choice to include unknown actors.
In a rare interview, he explained why, other from Shah Rukh Khan, he shunned superstars in the 1997 hit Pardes.
Despite the fact that Madhuri Dixit was signed on for a three picture agreement, I wanted Pardes to star a newcomer. She had also like Ganga’s script. For the uninitiated, Ganga was the previous name for Pardes.
Salman Sir had also sent us a note expressing interest in acting in a movie. Many people at my office agreed with me that it would be a good idea to sign Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and the distributors for the movie, but I stuck to my guns.
Madhuri was a star at the time, so to present her as a plain, innocent, small-town girl would give the impression that she is growing cunning. So, based on the storyline and myself, a fresh girl and boy had to be cast as those characters for the movie.
