Subhash Ghai reveals distributors wanted Salman Khan instead of SRK in 'Pardes'

Subhash Ghai, the director of Shah Rukh Khan and Mahima Chaudhry-starrer Pardes (1997), says that the distributors wanted him to cast Salman Khan in the film.

A still from Pardes

"It was suggested that I cast Salman and Madhuri [Dixit Nene] alongside Shah Rukh, as it would have given a boost to the film. But I refused, because they would not have done justice to the parts.

Salman Khan

The character Rajiv was an NRI. So it had to be played by someone unknown. Hence, I decided to cast Apurva Agnihotri, a newcomer," says Ghai.

Subhash Ghai