Govinda could have been in Avatar? Ten Bollywood stars who rejected big Hollywood roles

Scheduling clashes and pride are among the biggest reasons Bollywood stars spurn an international career

The supernova stars of Bollywood are not just in demand in their native country. Halfway across the world, Hollywood also recognises the intense pull of Indian megastars, and wants to snap them up for its own big productions. Here are ten Bollywood big guns who reportedly turned down big Hollywood roles, as reported by Pinkvilla. 

1. Irffan Khan 

 

 

The late actor, having received recognition for his work in Angrezi Medium (2020) and The Lunchbox (2014), amongst others, was reportedly offered a role in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-nominated film Interstellar, but turned it down. The role would have required him to remain in the United States for four months at a stretch, a commitment Irrfan felt he could not afford at the time with other projects at home on the horizon. However, before succumbing to illness in 2020, Irrfan went on to work in several Hollywood hits, such as The Darjeeling Limited, Jurassic World, and Slumdog Millionaire. 

2. Deepika Padukone 

 

 

As one of the highest paid actors in Bollywood, Deepika commands a powerful presence across Indian cinema. The star made her Hollywood debut in 2017 opposite Vin Diesel in the high-octane action film xXx: Return of Xander Cage. However, according to Times of India, Deepika was also offered a role in the Hollywood smash hit Fast & Furious 7 (2015), but to no avail. Ultimately, Deepika passed on the role to focus instead on shooting her Bollywood action comedy Happy New Year. 

3. Govinda 

 

 

Who could have thought the prolific but bumbling Govinda, branded in everyone’s minds as the slapstick king of Bollywood, could ever be in James Cameron’s Avatar? The actor has gone on record to say he was offered a role in the hit film; however, his claims have come under scrutiny when it was revealed that he was, in fact, offered a role in an entirely separate film also called Avatar. Controversy aside, Govinda has publicly insisted that it was he, Govinda, who came up with the title James Cameron ended up using for his post-Titanic blockbuster. 

4. Naseeruddin Shah 

 

 

Hardcore Harry Potter fans have a hard time envisioning anyone succeeding the late Richard Harris’s true-to-life Dumbledore. This reservation extends to the late Michael Gambon, who took up the mantle from Prisoner of Azkaban onwards after Harris’s death in 2022. We will never know what the Harry Potter universe would look like with Naseeruddin at the helm heading Hogwarts. The Bollywood veteran was reportedly urged by his agent to audition for the role of Dumbledore, but he declined. 

5. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan 

 

 

Reigning supreme across Bollywood, the former Miss World was offered a role in none other than Troy as Briseis opposite Hollywood leading man Brad Pitt. However, the Bride and Prejudice star turned down the role after expressing reservations about her character’s “bold” scenes. Troy later went on to be nominated for an Academy Award and became one of the landmark roles of Brad’s career. 

6. Shah Rukh Khan 

 

 

The king of Bollywood, Shah Rukh is known globally for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kal Ho Naa Ho, and will forever be remembered as the leading romantic hero of the late nineties and early 2000s. Shah Rukh confirmed to Indian media that the producers of Kaun Banega Crorepati had put his name forward for Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire as Prem Kumar. However, Bollywood’s leading hero felt that playing the villain wasn’t for him, and passed on the role without second thought. Anil Kapoor ultimately snapped up the role, and the film went on to win Best Picture at the 2009 Academy Awards. 

7. Priyanka Chopra

 

 

 

Having become even more prolific after her very public wedding to Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, Priyanka’s face is well known across both Hollywood and Bollywood. In addition to her jam-packed Bollywood CV, Priyanka has starred alongside Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. She was also offered a role in Tarsem Singh's Immortals, with Henry Cavill in the lead. However, the offer clashed with the shooting for 7 Khoon Maaf, leading Priyanka her to reject the role. 

8. Hrithik Roshan

 

 

With his sculpted cheekbones, ironing board physique and seamless dance moves, Hrithik reigns supreme as the Greek god of Bollywood. In the enviable position of being able to select whichever roles he likes, Hrithik turned down an opportunity to star in Fast & Furious 7, citing his packed Bollywood schedule back home. The star was reportedly also offered the role of Vicente in Pink Panther 2, but turned that down, too. 

9. Akshay Kumar

 

 

With the release of Bade Miyan Chotay Miyan on the horizon, Akshay’s career has been sprinkled with Bollywood hits galore. Akshay had earlier revealed in an interview that he had been offered a Hollywood role opposite Dwayne Johnson, but declined. Wanting to not deprive the fans in his homeland, Akshay has gone on record to state that he wishes to focus on his Bollywood career instead. “I have a huge fan group here and I am not going to fit into Hollywood,” he had earlier remarked. 

10. Dilip Kumar 

 

 

Indian media has been swarming with reports that Dilip was offered a role in the Oscar-winning movie, Lawrence of Arabia. Had he accepted the offer, the film would have marked his Hollywood debut. However, the proud Bollywood megastar spurned the role after voicing that he did not need Hollywood to prove himself. Lawrence of Arabia went on to sweep the Academy Awards with ten nominations and seven wins. 

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