DYK Ram Gopal Varma First Offered Company To Shah Rukh Khan, Not Ajay Devgn But One Meeting With SRK Changed Everything?

Filmmaker

Ram Gopal Varma recently revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes detail about his 2002 cult gangster drama Company. The film, which went on to become one of Ajay Devgn’s most celebrated performances, was originally offered to Shah Rukh Khan. However, after just one meeting with the superstar, Varma decided to change his casting choice. Read on!

RGV on casting Ajay Devgn in Company

Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, the director said he narrated the story to SRK, who showed interest. However, Varma later felt Shah Rukh’s high-energy personality clashed with Malik’s calm and composed nature. RGV shared, “My first instinct was to cast Shah Rukh Khan. I went and narrated the story to him, and he was interested. But I somehow felt Shah Rukh has this natural body language, very energetic, he’s like a live wire. The idea of Malik’s character was that of a subtle guy, laid-back and cold-minded when he’s thinking. I thought SRK’s natural energy would go against that. To make Shah Rukh still would be an injustice to both him and the film.”The filmmaker further explained how his perception of Shah Rukh’s screen persona influenced the decision. “I think there’s a performing actor and then there’s an actor. I’m not saying one is better than the other, but it’s just a different style of acting. A guy like Shah Rukh should be left to himself. I think directors trying to make him fit into a different kind of character won’t work,” Varma said.

He added that Ajay Devgn’s calm and composed personality made him a perfect fit for Malik. “Ajay was naturally suited for that role, he’s very calm. That’s when I decided to cast Ajay instead. I just had one meeting with SRK, and in that itself I realised it wouldn’t work, but I didn’t tell him,” RGV concluded.Company, co-starring Vivek Oberoi and Manisha Koirala became one of the defining gangster films of Indian cinema.