Aditya Pancholi claims he was the original choice for Tezaab, writes: ‘An actor, through his elder brother influenced the director’

Aditya Pancholi talks about being replaced in Tezaab

Actor Aditya Pancholi has set social media buzzing with a revelation that’s reignited an old chapter of Bollywood history.

The Yes Boss actor recently took to X and claimed that he was the original choice for the 1988 cult classic Tezaab — a film that catapulted Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit to superstardom.

Sharing a black-and-white throwback photo, Aditya Pancholi dropped a revelation few expected.

“I was the original choice for Tezaab (1988), opposite @MadhuriDixit. Director N. Chandra, still very much around can confirm this,” he wrote.

I was the original choice for Tezaab (1988), opposite @MadhuriDixit . Director N. Chandra, still very much around can confirm this.Unfortunately, an actor, through his elder brother (who remains active in the industry), influenced the director to replace me. The rest, as they… pic.twitter.com/0GsBvsK2KG— Aditya Pancholi (@AdityaRPancholi) October 27, 2025

He went on to reveal how fate — and influence — changed the course of his career.

“Unfortunately, an actor, through his elder brother (who remains active in the industry), influenced the director to replace me. The rest, as they say, is history.”

The cryptic post immediately set social media ablaze, with fans drawing their own conclusions. Many were convinced that the “actor” and his “elder brother” were none other than Anil Kapoor and Boney Kapoor.

One user commented, “The actor you meant has always lobbied for roles and has been known to edit out other actors’ parts if they were better than his. He didn’t want Naseer sahab in Parinda. This is just one example of how insecure he has been throughout his career.”

Aditya, however, chose diplomacy — responding simply with, “Khuch baatein Ankahi rehne dein.” (Let some things remain unsaid.)

Another fan wrote, “It was for sure referring to @AnilKapoor as it did not surprise. Anyway, Karma did not forget his address and not even a single cinegoer remembered that his son was an actor.”

The actor used the opportunity to shed light on what he described as the “darker realities” of Bollywood politics, writing: “Recently, I saw an #actor speak about nepotism while promoting his new release. Let me say this clearly: Politics in the film industry runs deeper than #nepotism, favouritism, manipulation, and power games shape careers more than family ties ever could.”

When a fan mentioned that Aditya later worked with Anil in Musafir and asked about the infamous Trimurti controversy, he hinted that there was more to the story.

“I will write about Trimurti another time. Thanks,” he replied.

While there were some fans who came in support of the Kapoor brothers. One wrote, " Boney and Anil Kapoor virtually struggled their way to top in eighties It is laughable to suggest Boney drew any power to influence Anil’s selection U are a good actor but lacked that boy next door appeal to succeed in such roles"

Amother mentioned, "There is no way it would’ve been as good a movie with you as the main lead. You did he your chances but squandered them all"

Directed by N. Chandra, Tezaab went on to become one of the biggest hits of 1988.
Its legendary song "Ek Do Teen" by Madhuri Dixit and its ferocious blend of romance, action, and drama solidified its place in Bollywood history.

For Madhuri, the part established her a household star; for Anil Kapoor, it became a film that defined his career.