Did You Know? Manoj Bajpayee REJECTED Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s, “Devdas”, Know Why

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Devdas” is hailed as one of the most iconic films, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, and Jackie Shroff. It is regarded as a masterpiece by the esteemed filmmaker. Surprisingly, Manoj Bajpayee was reportedly offered a significant role in “Devdas,” but he “rejected” the offer.

Renowned for his exceptional acting skills, Manoj Bajpayee has been captivating audiences since his “Satya” days with his remarkable performances. Despite expressing his desire to portray Devdas, he did not accept Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s offer for the film as he was not offered the lead role. According to News18, Bajpayee was hesitant to take on a supporting role, fearing it might affect his established image in the industry.

Manoj Bajpayee Was Selected For The Role Of “Chunnillal” In Devdas

Manoj, along with Saif Ali Khan and Govinda, was considered for the role of “Chunnillal” in Devdas. However, Manoj declined the offer from Sanjay as he preferred lead roles over supporting ones, fearing it might affect his marketability. This decision was reported by News18. Eventually, Jackie Shroff was cast as Chunnillal in the film.

Manoj Bajpayee Wanted To Play “Devdas”

Yet, Manoj harbored a long-standing desire to feature in a Devdas film, albeit in the leading role rather than a supporting one. In an interview with ETimes, he expressed, “I’ve always wanted to play Devdas. There have been a few adaptations, but no one thought of casting me. I would love to play that character.”

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