15 Years of Om Shanti Om: Arjun Rampal was CORNERED by Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan at a party; they dragged him into the loo and insisted that he sign the film

Om Shanti Om (2007) completed 15 years on November 9. The film worked not just because of the concept, mass quotient, music and reincarnation element but also because it had great casting. While Shah Rukh Khan played the lead, debutant Deepika Padukone was the female lead. Arjun Rampal was the antagonist and Shreyas Talpade played the role of the actor’s best friend. In the book 'The Making Of Om Shanti Om', author and also the film’s writer Mushtaq Shaikh reveals how the casting of Shreyas Talpade and Arjun Rampal happened.

 

15 Years of Om Shanti Om: Arjun Rampal was CORNERED by Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan at a party; they dragged him into the loo and insisted that he sign the film

 

Mushtaq Sheikh that Vinay Pathak and Ranvir Shorey were considered for the role of Pappu but they didn’t get the part as they came across as ‘too urban’. Mushtaq writes, “Shreyas Talpade, however, had the earthiness to him and he and Shah Rukh, with that hair and clothes, came across as very wannabe, which was good.”

 

Shah Rukh Khan was quite happy with the casting of Shreyas. Mushtaq Shaikh says that he had overheard SRK telling director Farah Khan, “Shreyas Talpade keeps me on my toes. I am glad you got him on board. It’s been a long time working with an actor who is forcing me to improvise, and I have been able to concentrate on my lines.”

 

As for the role of the villain Mukesh Mehra, the first choice was Vivek Oberoi. Two narrations happened – one with Vivek and the other with the actor and his father, Suresh Oberoi, after which Vivek decided to turn down the offer.

 

 

The next choice, writes Mushtaq Shaikh, was Arjun Rampal. But the dashing actor was very apprehensive about doing the film. This is when Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan did the unthinkable! Mushtaq reveals, “He was cornered at a New Year party when Shah Rukh and Farah dragged him into the loo and told him that nothing doing, you are doing the movie. They were in for so long that people began to break down the door!”

 

Lastly, the evergreen Simi Garewal was offered to play the host in the premiere show scene. But since she refused, the role was played by Arti Surendranath.

 

Also Read: 15 Years of Om Shanti Om: The unit members found it difficult in getting a snow globe; Shah Rukh Khan even went through Suhana’s toys to find it

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