Omer Shahzad, the talented actor and model, recently unveiled an intriguing revelation during an interview with Something Haute. He disclosed that he had been offered a role in the highly-acclaimed Bollywood blockbuster, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
In the interview, Shahzad disclosed, “There’s a movie of Karan Johar’s, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. I was offered that, not the character Imran Abbas played but the character Fawad Khan played.” He went on to share that he had eagerly sent audition clips for the role, hoping to make a mark in the Indian film industry.
However, fate had a different plan for him, as the role eventually went to the talented actor Fawad Khan. Fawad’s portrayal of the character proved to be a significant factor in the film’s success, solidifying his position in the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Reflecting on the offer, Shahzad displayed a gracious attitude, saying, “I was told, ‘There’s a character, he’s a DJ, a cool guy. The guy has a few scenes but all of them are with the heroine.’ I thought to myself that a Karan Johar will have nothing short of someone like Deepika. So, I said, ‘It’s okay, however many scenes there are, it doesn’t matter.’ I did, however, ask about the character’s requirements. And they said they wanted something exactly like this [pointing towards himself], very natural.”
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, a 2016 Bollywood musical romantic drama, was directed, produced, and written by Johar under his banner Dharma Productions. The film starred Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and the stunning Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Pakistani stars Fawad Khan and Imran Abbas also played pivotal roles, adding a touch of cross-border collaboration to the film.
Though Omer Shahzad might have missed the opportunity to be a part of this cinematic gem, his revelation gives insight into the competitive and dynamic nature of the entertainment industry. It also showcases the level of recognition and demand that Pakistani actors command in Bollywood, contributing to a cultural exchange between the two neighboring nations.
