Javed Akhtar reveals Amitabh Bachchan was his first choice for Anil Kapoor starrer Mr. India

Javed Akhtar talks about Mr India casting

Anil Kapoor's starrer Mr India hit the theatres in 1987 and instantly became a huge hit. The breakout role added to the actor’s successful career. However, veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar has recently revealed that Anil Kapoor was not the first choice for the film.

During a recent interview with Mid-Day India, Javed claimed that Amitabh Bachchan, who is famous for his deep voice, was the original inspiration behind the film.

Javed Akhtar recalled that the idea was sparked during a film's launch ceremony, which Amitabh Bachchan was supposed to attend, but since the actor wasn't available in person, it was decided to play his voice for the muhurat instead.

The screenwriter shared, “He had to do the mahurat, and because of some reason, they recorded the voice of Amitabh and played it during the muhurat shot. So, that gave me an idea — if this voice is so popular, so effective, why can’t we make the Invisible Man with him? We wouldn’t have to take his dates also. Most of the time, we could shoot and he would later dub his voice… That is how the idea started.”

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However, the unexpected turn of events occurred when Salim-Javed parted ways, and Javed Akhtar retained the script, but no one was ready to work with the concept. Boney Kapoor eventually agreed to produce the film, but wanted to cast his brother Anil Kapoor with some big names like Sridevi.

For the unversed, the iconic film Mr. India revolves around the story of a poor man, aka Anil Kapoor, who uses his late scientist father’s invisibility device to help children and people of India from Mogambo, portrayed by Amrish Puri.