Directors usually think of a movie plot with a particular actor in mind. However, there are times when these actors refuse these movies owing to various reasons. What turns out to be their loss proves to be a substantial gain for their contemporaries.
This happens time and again in every film industry and Mollywood is not untouched from these blunders.
Here is a list of some stars, who refused some great movies that went on to work wonders for other Malayalam actors.
Mammootty
Thanks to his mega star appeal and huge fan following, many directors create movies just to suit his personality. But, he had to refuse many movies due to lack of time or plots that seemed uninteresting to him. The blockbuster Rajavinte Makan was actually written with him in mind. But, Mammookka rejected the role which was then bagged by Mohanlal. The film went on to be a huge hit and ran to full houses for a long time. Another Mohanlal blockbuster, Dhrishyam which was directed by Jeethu Joseph was offered to Mammootty. However, he could not do the role due to some reasons. Films like Ekalavyan, Run Baby Run and Memories starring Suresh Gopi, Mohanlal and Prithviraj respectively were thought of keeping Mammootty in mind.
Mohanlal
Superstar Mohanlal with his charm and style is loved by all Malayalis. No wonder, it was he was the initial choice for the role of Sethuramaiyar CBI in the cult suspense thriller, Oru CBI Diary Kurupu. However, he refused the film as he thought that the character was not suitable for him. Mammootty went on to do this role and impressed the audience with his performance. The film was followed by 3 other sequels over the years, which too were superhits. Lalettan was also offered the negative role in Rajnikanth’s Sivaji, but he did not accept the role. His loss was Suman’s gain, who played the villain in the film.
Dileep
Known as Janapriyanayakan for his amazing comic timing, Dileep has been ruling Malayalam cinema for a long time now. There was a time when he was working on multiple films simultaneously. Thus, he had to refuse the lead roles in Chadikkaatha Chandu and Perariyathavar, which proved to be a turning point in the careers of Jayasurya and Suraaj Venjaarmoodu respectively.
Prithviraj
An inimitable youth icon with his dashing looks and electrifying performances, Prithviraj is a much sought actor in Malayalam cinema today. Known for being exceptionally choosy about his roles, he refused Lal Jose’s Diamond Necklace and Vysakhs’s Mallu Singh. Fahadh Faasil went on to play the lead in Diamond Necklace whereas Unni Mukundan was cast in Mallu Singh. Both the films went on to be superhits and made stars out of the lead actors.
Kunchako Boban
Loved for his chocolate boy looks and charming persona, Chakochan can still make many a heart aflutter. However, there was a time when he took a hiatus from films to concentrate on his career. Thus, he had to forego some important films like Ayalum Njanum Thammil, Classmates and Kammath & Kammath. All the films were superhits and won accolades for Naren and Dileep who were then cast in these roles.
That is how the world of cinema operates. Something which seems not so good to one actor can work wonders for the other. Many a times it is blunders like these which have made superstars out of novice actors. Here’s hoping that our stars are listening and would not make any such blunders again.
