Producer Pahlaj Nihalani, who has bankrolled films like Ilzaam, Aag Ka Gola, Aankhen and Shola Aur Shabnam, recently opened up about why he had to shelve the movie Arzoo, which was supposed to be Suniel Shetty’s launchpad in Bollywood. Nihalani explained that even after shooting a significant portion of the film (12 reels), he had to stop production because of issues raised by the film’s crew. Arzoo also featured big stars like Shatrugan Sinha and Raj Babbar.
In an interview with Bollywood Thikana, the producer shared, “I was not enjoying the scenes the way they were written. The director also got involved with a heroine and his focus was on that. In the whole film, there were just locations and the actors were nowhere to be seen.”
Nihalani said that the cast included names like Shatrugan Sinha, Raj Babbar, Danny, Madhavi, and Kiran Kumar. He added, “The costumes for one schedule were already made and the wardrobes were complete. The unit complained that the film was not being made in the right way and they told me to take a break and then decide what to do. We had hot 12 reels and when I saw it, I thought this is not a good film for my banner. It was not shot properly. So, I thought this has to be shelved.”
The film producer convinced Suniel that the film wasn’t a suitable fit for his physique and stature and offered him another film, Ek Aur Faulaad, but that was shelved too after a grand ‘mahurat’.
Suniel had opened up about the same and had revealed that Pahlaj Nihalani ditched him. As per a Bollywood Bubble report, Suniel told a film magazine in 1994, “Early in my career I was ditched by Pahlaj Nihalani. It completely destroyed me when he scrapped a film starring me after nine reels. And then he decided to shelve the second one. Beggars cannot be choosers. I just wanted films. Whoever came to me, I signed on.”
Ultimately, Suniel Shetty made his debut with the 1992 film Balwaan, which was an instant hit. He went on to become one of the most popular Bollywood stars in the 90s and early 2000s with films like Mohra, Gopi Kishan, Hu Tu Tu, Ye Tera Ghar Ye Mera Ghar and Hera Pheri, among others.
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Pahlaj Nihalani reveals why he shelved Suniel Shetty’s initial debut film after shooting 12 reels: ‘Director got involved with heroine…’ – The Indian Express
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