Vinod Khanna declined to work in the Manmohan Desai directorial ‘Naseeb’
Vinod Khanna declined to work in the Manmohan Desai directorial ‘Naseeb’
Vinod Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan in 70’s and 80’s were considered one of the most popular on-screen duos in Bollywood.
Among their filmography, Manmohan Desai-directed Amar Akbar Anthony was their biggest blockbuster. The ensemble family drama featured Amitabh, Vinod, and Rishi Kapoor, with Neetu Singh, Praveen Babi, and Shabana Azmi in the key roles.
Thereafter Khanna refused to work opposite Amitabh Bachchan in the ensemble blockbuster Naseeb.
After Amar Akbar Anthony, Amitabh and Vinod have given blockbusters such as Prakash Mehra directorial Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Hera Pheri, Khoon Pasina and Parvarish.
Manmohan Desai announced Nazeeb with Amitabh Bachchan. However, after the announcement of Naseeb a sequel of the director’s iconic ensemble entertainer Amar Akbar Anthony, since Manmohan wanted to repeat the magic of the trio. However Vinod Khanna said no to the film, and he was replaced by Shatrughan Sinha.
Vinod was planning give up films to be with his guru Osho Rajneesh at the new Ashram in Oregon, USA.
It wasn’t only Vinod Khanna, but other actors who refused Naseeb were Neetu Singh and Praveen Babi. Reportedly, Neetu wanted to concentrate on her family, and Praveen was busy with other projects. Thus, they were replaced with Kim and Reena Roy.
Naseeb released in cinemas on May 1, 1981, turned out to be a blockbuster at the box office. Made on a budget of Rs 4 crores, the movie earned Rs 14 crores in its lifetime. Naseeb was later remade in Tamil as Sandhippu and in Telugu as Trimurtulu.
News input KV Raman
