Aamir Khan fired a struggling Daya Shankar Pandey from Akele Hum Akele Tum as he was overqualified: ‘I thought of him as a villain'
Actor Daya Shankar Pandey, known for his work in iconic films and TV shows like Lagaan, Gangaajal, and Swades, recently recalled his experience of working with Aamir Khan. Daya, who collaborated with Aamir on films such as Lagaan and Ghulam, shared an anecdote from their early days. He revealed that Aamir once removed him from the film Akele Hum Akele Tum, believing he was overqualified for the role. At the time, the decision left Daya distressed, especially as he was going through a financial crisis.
Speaking on the YouTube channel Friday Talkies, Daya recalled, 'I didn't have work. I was facing financial crisis. My family had refused to support me and I also thought I would earn my own money. I had asked the assistant director (AD) of the film Akele Hum Akele Tum to give me any role possible and so he got me 12 day work in that film and I was getting Rs 2000 per day.'
Daya Shankar Pandey shared that Aamir Khan knew him from earlier as they had worked together in the 1995 film Baazi, and he also knew that Aamir regarded him as a good actor. However, Aamir's positive opinion of Daya ended up costing him the role in Akele Hum Akele Tum. He explained. 'I would try and avoid Aamir sir so that he doesn't see me but one day he saw me and called me and asked what I am doing there. When I told that I am playing a junior artist's role, he told Mansoor Khan and the AD, 'He is a very good actor. Don't waste him.' I didn't want to hear this appreciation because I wanted to earn my per day and leave. I thought of Aamir Khan as a villain at that time. They did my pack-up.'
Though Aamir didn't allow Daya to continue playing the junior artist's role in Akele Hum Akele Tum, he later made up for it by casting him in Lagaan and also recommending him for a pivotal role in Ghulam. The actor further recalled how Aamir personally called him to meet director Mahesh Bhatt and Ghulam's writer Anjum Rajabali. However, even with the superstar's backing, Daya still faced rejection.
Sharing the experience, he said, 'Anjum and Mahesh kept rejecting me for roles in the film, saying that I am too thin and all. I got very insecure because Aamir Khan is recommending me but the writer is rejecting. What kind of bad luck is this.' However, Days revealed that eventually Aamir managed to convince them, and he was cast in the role.
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