Raveena Tandon rejected Shah Rukh Khan’s Darr over uncomfortable scenes; says, ‘I will not wear a swimming costume’

Raveena Tandon has revealed that she was the original choice for the iconic role of Kiran in Yash Chopra’s 1993 psychological thriller Darr. The film went on to become one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most memorable performances. The role was later immortalised by Juhi Chawla, but Raveena has now opened up about why she turned it down.

Speaking on the ANI podcast, Raveena disclosed, “Darr had come to me first. So, you were talking about that vulgarity and whether you didn't do. So, no though it was not vulgar, but there was sometimes some scenes that I was not comfortable with.” Delving deeper into her decision, she added, “Darr mein kuchh aise pehle scenes the where, you know, woh tha kuchh. Couple of scenes the. Swimming costume main kabhi pehen ke nahi jaati thi. I would say ‘no, I will not wear a swimming costume’. Yeah, kuchh aise the, matlab scenes that I was a little uncomfortable.”

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Raveena, who made her debut in 1991, also revealed that another popular film, Prem Qaidi, which launched Karisma Kapoor, had initially been offered to her. Raveena recalled, “Like Prem Qaidi, in fact, the first film which I think Lolo (Karisma Kapoor) got launched, was actually offered to me first. But even that there was this one scene where the hero pulls down the zipper or something and a strap is showing. I was uncomfortable with that.”

Raveena explained that her reservations stemmed from personal discomfort rather than judgment. “I used to be uncomfortable with a lot of things. I was very uncomfortable with proximity, with people whom I could not, I would not... I'd be very very like this (leaned back). I was a little uppity at that time I think and, not snooty, I was never snooty. I was always like how I am right now only. So that's why they treated me like a boy.”