Raveena Tandon recently revealed that she was initially offered the role of Kiran in the 1993 film Darr, which eventually went to Juhi Chawla. In a recent interview, Tandon explained her decision to decline the role, citing discomfort with certain scenes.
Tandon stated that while the script itself wasn't vulgar, she felt uneasy about specific sequences, particularly those requiring her to wear a swimming costume. "Darr had come to me first, though it was not vulgar, but earlier there were some scenes in 'Darr' I was not comfortable with," she said. "I never used to wear a swimming costume. I would say, 'No, I will not wear a swimming costume'".
The actress also revealed that she had turned down Prem Qaidi, which became Karisma Kapoor's debut film, because of similar concerns. She mentioned a scene involving a zipper and a visible strap that made her uncomfortable. Tandon explained that early in her career, she was particular about on-screen elements and preferred to avoid scenes involving physical proximity or outfits she found revealing.
In a 2024 interview, Tandon recalled another instance where she opted out of a film with Shah Rukh Khan due to costume issues. She described the costumes as "weird and objectifying" and something she wouldn't be comfortable wearing. "It was with Shah Rukh Khan and I had almost signed it till the time came to discuss the costumes," she said. "The costumes were really weird. It wasn't something I would be comfortable wearing. I thought it was a little too objectifying. I said, 'No sorry, I can't'".
Tandon emphasized that Shah Rukh Khan was very understanding of her concerns. She said that SRK even asked her why she was declining the offer since they were already working on other projects together and got along well. Tandon praised Khan as one of the "wittiest, warmest, and gentlemanly co-actors" she had worked with, adding that he was "decent to the core".
Despite these early rejections, Raveena Tandon built a successful Bollywood career on her own terms. She admitted that she was called arrogant for refusing to wear swimming costumes or do kissing scenes. However, she remained firm in her choices and carved out a distinct path for herself in the industry.
Darr went on to become a major hit, solidifying Shah Rukh Khan's status as a leading actor. Juhi Chawla's portrayal of Kiran became iconic. While fans may wonder what Darr would have been like with Raveena Tandon, she has no regrets about her decision. She has stated that she is happy with the choices she made and the career she has built. Fans are hoping to see Tandon and Khan collaborate on a project in the future.
