Veer Zaara: The real story behind Manoj Bajpayee landing a role in Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster

New Delhi: Veer Zaara, released in 2004, is undeniably ranked among the greatest romantic films in Indian cinema. The cross-border love story featuring Preity Zinta and Shah Rukh Khan saw Manoj Bajpayee emerging as a barrier between the duo. But did you know that the 55-year-old actor bagged his role in the movie after director Yash Chopra noticed his performance in one of his previous films?

According to a TV9Hindi report, in an interview with Lallantop, Manoj recalled how he got to portray Raza Sharazi’s character in Veer Zaara. He was quoted as saying that the renowned filmmaker called him after watching Pinjar, helmed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi.

Manoj recollected that Yash explained to him that he was making Veer Zaara and offered him the cameo role based on his on-screen presence. The director urged him to take on the part because he was mesmerised by Manoj’s excellent performance in Pinjar.

As Yash insisted, Manoj agreed to sign the film. “Aditya will explain those three or four scenes to you. Look, son, if you don’t do it, I will not mind,” Manoj remembered Yash saying.

After listening to the details about the character and his scenes, Manoj liked the role and agreed to collaborate with Yash on the project. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Veer Zaara budget

The blockbuster film also featured Rani Mukerji, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Divya Dutta, Kirron Kher, Boman Irani and Anupam Kher in key roles. Its soundtrack album was based on old compositions by Madan Mohan, with lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar.

Veer Zaara was reportedly made on a budget of Rs 22 crore. The movie became a massive Box Office success, raking in Rs 97 crore across the globe. Given the fan following it still enjoys, the film was re-released in cinemas a few weeks back. Visuals of movie lovers reliving its iconic scenes inside theaters recently took social media by storm.