Actor Deepak Tijori has done supporting roles in many Bollywood films in the 1990s, after which he became quite famous. Now he has given some information about Aamir Khan’s film Jo Jeeta Wo Hi Sikandar. He has said that initially he was refused a role in the film after the audition, but after a few months it was known that the project was stopped and then he was told that he would have to do Milind Soman’s role and save the production.
Aamir Khan called
While talking to Radio Nasha, Deepak Tijori said, ‘The film was almost shelved. 75% of the work was complete. I really wanted to do Jo Jeeta Wo Sikandar, but when I didn’t get it, I was very upset. Then after some time, I moved on from it. A few months later, I heard rumours that things had gone off track in Ooty and the actors had left the set. One day, Bhatt sahab, who was shooting for Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi in Ooty, called me and said that I should go to the set of Jo Jeeta Wo Hi Sikandar because Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan had called me.’
Bhatt sahab gave the offer for the film
Since this request came to Deepak Tijori directly from his mentor Mahesh Bhatt, he went to Ooty. There the film’s producer Nasir Hussain told Deepak that he would have to play the role of Shekhar. Deepak first found out that Milind Soman knew that he was being replaced in the film, only then he said yes. Deepak said, ‘I came to know that the film has been stopped. I met Nasir sahab and he said that son, you have to do this. I replied to him that sir, once you said it, the matter is over. Bhatt sahab, Aamir Khan and everyone had asked me to do it, so I was going to do this film.’
Milind made allegations
On the other hand, Milind Soman talked about this to senior journalist Barkha Dutt. He said that he had left the film because he was not being treated well. Food was not given on time. I threw my bicycle and said where is my breakfast? They did not give me anything. Since I was not at home, I was dependent on the production for food. It was important for me to be happy with whatever I was doing and if I was not, then I would not have worked.