Vishal Bhardwaj reveals that Aamir Khan was keen to play Saif Ali Khan’s character of Langda Tyagi in Omkara : Bollywood News

Omkara (2006) is considered one of the finest films made in Bollywood and is memorable even today for its treatment, intense moments, chartbuster songs and above all, the performances. Saif Ali Khan rocked the show as the antagonist, Langda Tyagi. This role, in fact, gave a huge boost to Saif’s career and proved that he’s an all-rounder, who can essay all kinds of roles if given an opportunity. Today, it’s difficult to imagine anyone else other than Saif playing Langda Tyagi. Hence, it was a surprise when Vishal Bhardwaj revealed that Aamir Khan, at one point, had a desire to play the role.

Vishal Bhardwaj reveals that Aamir Khan was keen to play Saif Ali Khan’s character of Langda Tyagi in Omkara

During an interaction with Mid-Day’s Mayank Shekhar, Vishal Bhardwaj revealed that this was a time when Aamir and he were working on a script titled Mr Mehta & Mrs Singh. The project was shelved as both had a difference of opinion. Vishal opened up, “Aamir was seeing the film a certain way. When we were close to the shoot of Mr Mehta & Mrs Singh, he was uncomfortable about how I was seeing the film. We are both headstrong people. We parted ways. But he’s great fun to spend time with, and during our chats, I told him about Langda Tyagi, the character I was writing.”

Vishal Bhardwaj further said that Aamir Khan was fascinated by the world of Omkara and Langda Tyagi’s language, in particular. Hence, he wished to be considered for the role. But Aamir Khan was busy with Rang De Basanti (2006); Vishal said that he was eager to take the film on floors and was not ready to wait for Aamir. Vishal Bhardwaj added, “Aamir is intelligent and commercial. If this role can excite him, I’m sure it should excite another star.” This is how Saif Ali Khan bagged the role.

Vishal Bhardwaj, in this interview, also confessed that the name Langda Tyagi was inspired by Langda Rathee, one of the gangsters that the acclaimed filmmaker had come across in his childhood days in Meerut.

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