Bollywood icon Aamir Khan recently peeled back the curtain on the tumultuous production of his 1992 cult classic Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, describing the filming process as “most torturous” during a candid conversation with the Just Too Filmy YouTube channel. The beloved coming-of-age sports drama, directed by Mansoor Khan, faced significant hurdles, including major recasting and on-set challenges, before becoming a cinematic gem.
A Complete Reshoot: The Devika Dilemma
Aamir revealed that Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar was initially shot for 60-70 days in the picturesque locales of Ooty and Kodaikanal, but the footage left director Mansoor Khan dissatisfied. The character of Devika, a pivotal role in the film, didn’t meet expectations. “The film was shot twice. We shot for 60-70 days in Ooty and Kodaikanal. We came back, and after two months, Mansoor called me and said, ‘Devika’s character is not working,’” Aamir shared.
At the time, Devika was played by another actress, whom Aamir described as “a wonderful girl and a very good actress.” However, Mansoor felt she lacked the “natural arrogance” the role demanded. Since 40 percent of the film revolved around Devika, the team decided to reshoot her portions, ultimately casting Pooja Bedi in the role, which became iconic for its charm and sass.
On-Set Challenges: Misbehaving Actors
The reshoot wasn’t the only obstacle. Aamir disclosed that the production was further complicated by the behavior of four actors on set. “There were four other actors who were very ill-mannered. I won’t take their names, but they were giving us a lot of trouble,” he said, translating his Hindi comment, “4 actors the aur woh bahot badtameez the.” Frustrated by their conduct, Aamir urged Mansoor to seize the opportunity of the reshoot to replace them. “I told Mansoor, ‘If we are re-shooting 80 percent of the film, let’s remove these four as well and reshoot the entire film. I cannot tolerate them again,’” he recalled. As a result, nearly the entire cast—except for Aamir and Mamik Singh—was replaced, leading to a fresh start for the production.
Despite these setbacks, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar emerged as one of Bollywood’s most cherished films, celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling, memorable music by Jatin-Lalit, and a thrilling bicycle race climax. The film, which also starred Deepak Tijori, Kiran Zaveri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sooraj Thapar, and Deven Bhojani alongside Aamir and Pooja Bedi, resonated with audiences for its themes of friendship, rivalry, and personal growth.
The post Aamir Khan recalls “torturous” Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar shoot: “4 actors bahot badtameez the” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
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