Phool Aur Kaante: Not Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar was the first choice; director Kuku Kohli explains why he was replaced

Phool Aur Kaante marked the Bollywood debut of Ajay Devgn. However, Akshay Kumar was the first choice for Kuku Kohli's film. Find out why he was replaced!

Akshay Kumar was the first choice for Phool Aur Kaante.

Ajay Devgn made his Bollywood debut with Kuku Kohli's Phool Aur Kaante in 1991. The actor played a lead role in the film and was appreciated for his performance in it. However, Ajay was not the first choice for Kohli's film. The filmmaker, known for launching newcomers in films, had initially planned to cast Akshay Kumar in Phool Aur Kaante. But the actor was eventually replaced by Ajay in the 1991 film.

Akshay Kumar was the first choice for Phool Aur Kaante

In an interview with ETimes, Kuku Kohli revealed that Akshay Kumar was the first choice for the lead role in Phool Aur Kaante.

Also read: Madhoo on her debut with Ajay Devgn in Phool Aur Kaante: We were not nervous newcomers

"Initially, I had taken a screen test of Akshay Kumar for the same subject and he was in the film. I even shot a song as a test with 3-4 heroines, including Sonali Bendre. It turned out well. However, around the same time, Akshay Kumar and Karishma Kapoor were signed for another film under Pramod Chakravorty’s banner, and for some reason, the film was not going on floor," shared Kohli.

The filmmaker further mentioned he was looking for a newcomer when it was time to direct the 1991 film. "I was looking for a newcomer, desperately, because I was getting a break myself. That’s how it all started. I had seen Ajay’s photograph in Veeruji’s office," he added.

How Ajay Devgn landed a role in Phool Aur Kaante

In the same conversation, Kuku Kohli revealed how Ajay was eventually offered to play the lead role. "I took two shots and asked him to act spontaneously. It took about an hour and a half, but I saw depth in his eyes, a certain expression, and potential. That’s how his journey started," he said.

Meanwhile, Phool Aur Kaante is available for streaming on ZEE5 and OTTplay Premium. If you missed watching it on the big screen, you revisit the movie on OTT. On the work front, Ajay will next be seen in Azaad whereas Akshay is gearing up for Sky Force's theatrical release.

Stay tuned to this space for more updates from the world of streaming and movies!

Also read: Akshay Kumar to return for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Rowdy Rathore 2? Here's what we know

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