Throwback Thursday: When I was approached to star in ‘King Uncle’, Amitabh Bachchan was to play the lead opposite me, says Anu Aggarwal

Amitabh Bachchan/ Anu Aggarwal

Almost everyone must be aware of the nineties film ‘King Uncle', a film that starred Jackie Shroff in the lead role and was paired opposite the original ‘Aashiqui' girl- Anu Aggarwal. But, did you know that, the titular role was initially supposed to be played by none other than Amitabh Bachchan himself! In an exclusive interview with Mid-Day Online, Anu Aggarwal spoke about it.

Also Read:

She said, "I am happy to share the birthdate number 11 with Amitabh Bachchan. Even though our months differ - he is 11 October and my original birth date is 11 January! ‘Silsila' is my all-time favourite classic. Amitabh has always been gracious whenever he spotted me at a party; with affection of almost motherly love - he and my mother are of the same age. When I was approached to star in the movie ‘King Uncle', he was to play the lead opposite me. I was certainly looking forward to working with the legend like him, but, I believe whatever happens is a part of the universal scheme. So, it is to be accepted without any regret. Anyhow, Jackie Shroff was brilliant too in his portrayal of it. Let's face it, it was a different kind of male lead role than the existing normal type then."

Anu, who is now all gearing up for a grand comeback, said, "I am considering acting afresh. The buzz has gone around. There have been a fresh lot of pictures with a professional fashion touch, glamour and with spirituality as the theme, for which I had sat for hours and did the prep for. I worked with the photographer chiseling out small details of the planned and forthcoming pictures. Word seems to have gone out that I am open to hearing script. I am filtering them out right now. I will sign something when the role touches me deep inside me. If you see my very short-lived career, my acting history, you clearly see that it was the out-of-the-ordinary kind of stories/ leads that had me sign up". She added, "As an actor, I look to keep sharpening my acting-saw, as they would say, acting with Amitabh Bachchan could be a step in that direction. It might be an opportunity for filmmakers to give out a film of unexpected value. Even though he is the father of the industry in certain ways, we have some commonalities. We both made it single-handedly in Bollywood."

Ask her what she would like to convey to Amitabh, who just celebrated his birthday, she said, "My message to him is to have self-love and gratitude, for being born as an instrument of unparalleled change… not just in the entertainment biz, but a time in Indian history."

Also Read: