Rakesh Roshan reveals why Gulshan Grover was immediately replaced by Aasif Sheikh in Karan Arjun: 'For an 11 am shoot, he would show up at 4 pm'

Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan is ready to entertain audiences once again with the re-release of his 1995 blockbuster Karan Arjun. Starring Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, the film was a classic in the 90s. As part of the promotion, the filmmaker has been sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the movie.
In a recent chat with Siddharth Kannan, Rakesh Roshan revealed that Gulshan Grover was initially cast as the villain 'Suraj.' However, Grover’s commitment to multiple projects caused delays on set.
"Gulshan Grover is a very fine actor. He was my first choice for the role. But he was working on several films at that time. For an 11 am shoot, he would show up at 4 pm. This went on for a couple of days," Roshan shared.
The delays persisted, prompting Roshan to address the issue with Grover. When the actor suggested taking his close-ups and allowing him to leave, Roshan decided it wouldn’t work. "I wouldn’t be able to work this way," he explained. Eventually, Roshan asked Grover to step down, though he expressed willingness to collaborate in the future.

Roshan quickly replaced Grover with Aasif Sheikh, a newcomer at the time. Reflecting on Sheikh’s performance, Roshan said, "What a joke! I told him to use the line whenever he felt it fit organically. He only delivered it when it felt right, and that's how it became memorable." Sheikh’s role gained him recognition, and he is now widely known for his work in the TV show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain.

Karan Arjun boasted a star-studded cast, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kajol, Mamta Kulkarni, and Amrish Puri. The film, a massive hit upon release, is set to re-release in cinemas on November 22, 2024, bringing nostalgia back to fans.