In the vibrant era of the 90s, Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit were cinematic powerhouses. Their on-screen pairings were adored by audiences, fueling numerous hit films. A particular project came their way, with both stars expressing interest. However, the director, prioritizing the film’s narrative and seeking a fresh appeal, made a bold decision: he replaced the established stars with two newcomers. The film, ‘Pardes,’ went on to achieve blockbuster status.
‘Pardes,’ released in 1997, featured Shah Rukh Khan in the lead. Mahima Chaudhry and Apurva Agnihotri played pivotal roles, complemented by veterans like Amrish Puri and Alok Nath. Notably, ‘Pardes’ marked the debut of both Mahima and Apurva in the film industry.
Originally, the filmmakers favored Salman and Madhuri for the lead roles. Their casting seemed imminent. Yet, director Subhash Ghai opted for a casting change, substituting Salman and Madhuri with Apurva and Mahima. Mahima’s performance earned her the Best Debut Actress award, setting a strong foundation for her career. The film catapulted both new actors into the limelight.
Subhash Ghai, in an interview, shared his perspective on the casting choices in ‘Pardes.’ He admitted to feeling pressure following the box-office failure of his previous film, ‘Trimurti.’ There was an expectation that a star-studded cast would guarantee success. Despite this, he chose Mahima and Apurva, aiming for audiences to concentrate on the film’s narrative rather than the established stardom.
A lesser-known fact is that ‘Pardes’ was Subhash Ghai’s first film to be shot overseas. Beyond the storyline, the film’s soundtrack was a massive hit, with the songs becoming audience favorites. The music’s popularity prompted Ghai to reward the music directors, Nadeem and Shravan, with two cars.