There are endless amazing artists out there waiting forthat one chance to shine. Not everyone gets that one chance, but those who did,
nearly didn’t.
In an industry based on looks, people are frequentlyrejected despite having exceptional acting talent.
1. Amitabh Bachchan
Nobody was a fan of Amitabh Bachchan's heavy baritonevoice. Years later, that became his unique selling point in the entertainment
world. Did you know that Big B was turned down by All India Radio because no
one enjoyed his "voice"? He later began his career as a voice
narrator in Mrinal Sen's film Bhuvan Shome in 1969. Mrinal Sen also doubted his
ability to succeed. Sen himself once stated, "His voice is fine... but he
will never make it as an actor." The irony is that Big B is now 80 years
old and remains one of the most recognized actors.
He was also rejected frequently by filmmakers during hisearly days in Bollywood due to his enormous height of 6′ 2", but after
winning the National Film Award for Best Newcomer for his debut film Saat
Hindustani, he broke the shackles and was generally accepted in the film
business.
2. Anushka Sharma
When she initially started the profession, many peoplethought Anushka Sharma was "too plain," and she was even nicknamed
"plain Jane." Karan Johar even admitted that he wanted to ruin her
career.
"I completely wanted to murder Anushka Sharma’s careerbecause when Aditya Chopra showed me her picture, I was like ‘no no, you no
need to sign Anushka Sharma. There was another lead actor whom I wanted Adi to
sign," he said.
In addition, Sonam Kapoor was considered for the character of Taani in Rab Ne
Bana Di Jodi. Aditya Chopra even told her she was second on the list. Anushka,
on the other hand, rocked the audition and landed the job. And, as they say,
the rest is history.
3. Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khan,known as the "Master of Method Acting," began his career on
television. He once stated that he was not paid because "they thought my
acting was so bad." Do you believe it? He eventually found his way into
films, proving his mettle with each job he did, and even leaving a lasting
impression in Hollywood.
4. Shah Rukh Khan
Even Shah Rukh Khan was told he was ugly and not hero type."There's a wonderful director friend of mine, and he met me and he said,
'you are so ordinary and ugly looking'. Yeah, he told me on my face." SRK
said that he agreed.
That is one of the reasons he took on negative roles thatother heroes turned down. "The reasons I agreed to do roles which the
other guys were saying no to (for whatever their mindset was), a Darr or a
Baazigar, was because I thought I’m not good-looking enough to be a hero, so
let me just get a villain’s job. I didn’t do it because I was gutsy or because
I knew I could pull it off, I’m such a great actor," NDTV quoted him. Yash
Chopra, his father figure, saw him as a romantic hero. He is now known as the
"King of Romance" and "King of Bollywood."
5. Rajkummar Rao
Rajkummar Rao was told he couldn't play the lead because he wasn't fair enough forthe character of a hero. "He [casting director] really liked my test but
told me, ‘Acting is fine, but I can’t give you a lead part because leading
heroes are supposed to be fair and muscular. But do you want to play a small
character in my film?'" he said, according to DNA. Today, he has turned
the tables and established himself as one of the top actors in the industry.
6. Vidya Balan
Even Vidya Balan, the woman who has led films like Kahaani,Parineeta, and The Dirty Picture on her own, was not considered for main roles.
"I was carrying the anger of rejection, the judgment around my body, the
criticism around my dressing. I’ve been called ‘jinxed’ down South. I rejected
my body all my life. I worked hard at accepting myself," she told
Filmfare.
7. Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Being fair in this industry is a requirement, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui faced many rejections because of his dark skin tone. "I don’t look like a
film actor. Yeh kya karega? That’s how I was initially welcomed," he told
HT. But he proved to the world that appearances don't matter, but acting
competence does.
On July 17, 2017, he tweeted, “Thank U 4 making me realisedat I cannot b paired along wid d fair & handsome bcz I m dark & not
good looking, but I never focus on that.”
8. Ranveer Singh
In the second meeting, Aditya Chopra, who introducedRanveer Singh, advised him, "You're not Hrithik Roshan, toh tu acting kar
lena (so please act)." This was revealed by the actor in an interview with
Bollywood Hungama. Later, he told Navbharat Times, "Ahead of the release
of my first film, I went to the theatre to watch some other movie. My poster
was up there and two guys were discussing the poster. 'Who is he, he does not
look like a hero,' they said. I heard it."
9. Priyanka Chopra
PC has created a reputation for herself not only inBollywood, but also in the West. Priyanka Chopra's abilities were first
questioned when she began her path as an actor in Bollywood. She is one of the
very few actors who have been able to carve out a career in Hollywood. "I
have always been told that ‘Yeh thodi na kar payegi’ and ‘you won’t be able to
do it’. I have always heard that but I just keep walking forward and keep doing
my work," ETimes quoted her.
10. Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit, one of the most profitable actors of the1990s who gave some legendary performances in various cult films, was told she
doesn't look like a heroine. "People used to say that I don’t look like a
heroine because I was a very young girl, from Maharashtrian roots, very petite.
Everybody has those myths about what should a heroine should look like,"
she said in an interview with Siddharth Kanan.
11. Adil Hussain
Adil Hussain, known for his roles in films such as English Vinglish, Life of Pi,Lootera, Kabir Singh, and shows such as Delhi Crime and Star Trek: Discovery,
was told he couldn't act because he wasn't fair. On Neelesh Misra's show, he
revealed, "Tu toh kala hai tu acting kaise karega?"
12. Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif was first rejected by filmmakers due to her"foreigner-like looks." Everyone felt she'd never make it big and
would have to settle for supporting roles.
Katrina claimed in an interview with Bollywood Bubble thatshe "got thrown out, not thrown out, let’s say replaced in a film called
Saaya which was an Anurag Basu film with John Abraham and Tara Sharma. After
shooting one shot, not one day but just one shot. At that time, I thought my
life was over. I thought my career was over."
According to reports, John refused to work with her since shedid not speak Hindi fluently. After a string of films in which she was cast to
add glamour, Kaif appeared in Kabir Khan's terrorism drama New York (2009).
Featuring John Abraham and Neil Nitin Mukesh in lead roles. While Katrina was
hesitant to work with John, Salman persuaded her to let bygones be bygones.
