Not Ajay Devgn Or Vivek Oberoi! RGV First Wanted These Two Stars For ‘Company’

Bollywood filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) has always made headlines, not only for his bold opinions but also for his unconventional approach to cinema. His 2002 gangster drama Company remains one of his most

iconic films. Starring Ajay Devgn and Vivek Oberoi, the film was inspired by real-life events surrounding the D-Company and the rift between its underworld leaders, Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan.

The film was a major box office success, but few know that neither Ajay Devgn nor Vivek Oberoi were RGV’s first choice. He revealed that he narrated the script for Company to two other Bollywood actors, both of whom loved it, but the filmmaker later changed his mind. Let’s find out who those two actors were…

SRK Was The Original Choice For ‘Malik’

In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Ram Gopal Varma revealed that his first choice for the role of Malik was Shah Rukh Khan. “My first instinct was to cast Shah Rukh. I narrated the story to him, and he was genuinely interested,” RGV said. “But Shah Rukh’s energy is like a live wire… Malik’s character needed to be calm, controlled and subtle. Toning down Shah Rukh’s natural energy would have been unfair to him and to the film.”

RGV added that he made his decision on the very same day. “I left Shah Rukh’s house and called Ajay Devgn straight away. I knew he was perfect for the role,” he recalled.

Abhishek Bachchan Was The First Choice For ‘Chandu’

Interestingly, Vivek Oberoi wasn’t the first choice for Chandrakant ‘Chandu’ Nagre either. The director had originally approached Abhishek Bachchan, but the actor was tied up with other projects at the time.

That’s when RGV decided to cast a fresh face — and Vivek Oberoi made his memorable debut.

The Success Of ‘Company’

Released in 2002, Company was written by Jaideep Sahni and featured a powerhouse ensemble including Mohanlal, Manisha Koirala, Antara Mali, and Seema Biswas.

The film also marked Mohanlal’s Hindi debut and became the second instalment of RGV’s acclaimed gangster trilogy after Satya (1998).

Made on a modest budget of Rs 9.5 crore, it grossed over Rs 25 crore worldwide, cementing its status as a Bollywood classic.

RGV’s Upcoming Project

Ram Gopal Varma is now preparing for his next venture, a horror-comedy titled Bhoot in the Police Station, in which he reunites with Manoj Bajpayee. The film’s release date is yet to be announced.