Dilip Kumar rejected movie for 'wife,' Amitabh Bachchan stepped in to make it iconic

Legendary actor Dilip Kumar, popularly dubbed as the 'Tragedy King,' dominated the Hindi cine industry in the late 1940s to the 1960s. Throughout his career spanning over 5 decades, he worked in less than 60 films. However, he won the hearts of moviegoers with his acting prowess. With his versatility, he cemented his position as a superstar. After 1998 Qila with his wife Saira Banu, the veteran actor announced his retirement. But, did you know, Dilip Kumar was offered a film which he rejected for 'Wife'?

2003's Baghban, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini in the lead with Salman Khan, Mahima Chaudhry, Paresh Rawal and Rimi Sen among others in key roles. The movie became a blockbuster and remains one of the most cherished movies. But the first choice for Raj Malhotra's role in the movie was not Amitabh Bachchan. It was first offered to Dilip Kumar in the 1970s. 

Yes, you read it right.

Baghban broke the stereotype and became a commercially hit movie in 2003. But, the movie was written decades ago and eminent filmmaker BR Chopra discussed the film with Dilip Saheb.

During an earlier chat with Reddif, Baghban's director Ravi Chopra recalled the incident and shared that when he was shooting for his debut flick Zameer with Amitabh Bachchan and Saira Banu, the legendary actor had loaned them his house's garden for one of the shoots.

Ravi said, "During the shooting, Dad and Dilip uncle were sitting and chatting. That’s when he narrated the script to Dilip uncle, who loved it. But Dad was busy with other films and Dilip uncle wanted to start another film first.”

Later, Ravi's wife Renu Chopra shared that the initial plans were to cast Dilip Kumar and Rakhee in the lead, with BR Chopra directing it. However, fate had other plans.

Rakhee opted out of the movie as she took a break from films and Dilip Kumar fell ill.

Achala Nagar, who co-wrote the dialogues and screenplay of Baghban told PTI, "When BR Chopra approached Kumar for the role, he had said that neither Nargis nor Meena Kumari was alive… even Rakhee had stopped working in films. He rejected the role because he believed that no contemporary actress was suitable to play the role opposite him.

Years later, Ravi Chopra decided to make the film and also invited Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu to the mahurat. However, Dilip couldn't attend the event as his health condition was not good. But Saira remembered the story of the film in great detail as “she was impressed with the romance of the elderly couple.”