Sunny Deol Rejected SRK's Darr Role, Later Felt 'Overshadowed', Claims Honey Irani: 'My Image...'

Veteran screenwriter Honey Irani has revisited the decades-old chatter surrounding the making of Yash Chopra’s 1993 blockbuster Darr, shedding light on Sunny Deol’s dissatisfaction with his role and the much-discussed dynamic between him and Shah Rukh Khan. In a recent interview, Honey clarified that while Sunny did feel uneasy about how his character was perceived, stories of deep-seated hostility between the two actors were largely exaggerated.

Honey Irani on Sunny Deol’s Concerns During Darr

Speaking to journalist Vickey Lalwani, Honey confirmed that Sunny believed he had been shortchanged in Darr, particularly when it came to screen time. However, she was quick to point out that the actor had been fully aware of the script from the very beginning.

“He did feel that, but that was wrong because

he had heard the script before. He knew the script right from the beginning,” she said, adding that such reactions are common when another character unexpectedly captures the audience’s imagination.

In Darr, Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal of the obsessive and dangerous Rahul Mehra struck a chord with viewers, transforming the film into a cultural moment and overshadowing Sunny’s traditional heroic arc. Honey explained that audience tastes were shifting at the time, with viewers beginning to embrace darker, more complex characters — something Bollywood had not seen at that scale before.

‘Mera Image Bilkul Kharab Ho Jaega’

Honey also revealed a lesser-known detail from the film’s casting process: the role that ultimately made Shah Rukh Khan a star was first offered to Sunny Deol. She recalled encouraging Sunny to step out of his comfort zone and attempt something radically different.

“I had myself told him, Sunny why don’t you try the other role so that you do something different from what you already have done, but Sunny said, ‘Honey ji mera image bilkul kharab ho jaega, khatam ho jaega’ (Honey ji, my image will be completely ruined, it will be finished). People like me as this,” she shared.

Addressing long-standing rumours of an intense rift between Shah Rukh and Sunny, Honey dismissed claims of severe animosity or near-physical confrontations. According to her, narratives suggesting they could not tolerate each other were blown out of proportion and fueled by public perception rather than reality.

Directed by Yash Chopra, Darr went on to become a landmark film in Hindi cinema, redefining the Bollywood anti-hero and marking a decisive turning point in Shah Rukh Khan’s career.

Honey Irani, a celebrated screenwriter and former child actor, has penned several iconic films including Lamhe, Aaina, Kya Kehna, and Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, leaving an indelible mark on mainstream Hindi cinema.