Abhishek Bachchan, who made his Bollywood debut 24 years ago with the film Refugee, has recently shared an intriguing story about another film that was almost his debut. The movie, titled Samjhauta Express, was set to be directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, but it never saw the light of day. The film’s controversial storyline, where Abhishek was to play a Pakistani terrorist, ultimately led to its cancellation.
The Story Behind ‘Samjhauta Express’
Before Refugee, Abhishek was gearing up to enter Bollywood with Samjhauta Express. Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, who co-wrote the script with Kamlesh Pandey, had invested a year into the project. The film was about a Pakistani terrorist, played by Abhishek, who harbored intense hatred for India. This hatred stemmed from his belief that his father was falsely accused of terrorism and imprisoned in India. The character’s journey involved infiltrating India to free his father, befriending an Indian police officer, and eventually meeting a tragic end when the officer kills him. His body is later found in the Samjhauta Express, a train symbolizing the tenuous peace between India and Pakistan.
Abhishek’s Commitment to the Role
Abhishek was deeply committed to his role in Samjhauta Express. He kept a diary where he meticulously noted down details about his character, reflecting his dedication to bringing the complex role to life. Despite being the son of the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek faced immense pressure and challenges in his early career. He revealed in an interview with ‘Galatta Plus’ that no director was willing to take on the responsibility of launching him. In such a scenario, Rakesh Mehra’s offer to write Samjhauta Express was a significant opportunity.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Reaction to the Script
However, when Amitabh Bachchan, a towering figure in Indian cinema, learned about the film’s storyline, he was far from pleased. According to Abhishek, there was a tense silence after Amitabh heard the script. He bluntly called it “rubbish” and dismissed the project entirely. Amitabh’s reaction reflects the controversial nature of the film’s plot, which many in the industry believed was “playing with fire.”
The Project’s Abrupt End
The film’s fate was sealed just three months before shooting was set to begin. The industry’s concerns about the storyline’s sensitive subject matter led to the project’s abrupt halt. Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, disheartened and frustrated, ultimately burned all the script materials and look tests of the actors. He later shared this experience on Shiv Talwar’s YouTube channel, revealing that the film was stopped because it was seen as too risky.
Mehra expressed that as long as deep-seated hatred exists between India and Pakistan, it will only result in more tragedy, symbolized by the “dead bodies of our children.” He believed that only love could build a bridge between the two nations, but the film’s message was too controversial to be realized.
Samjhauta Express was a bold and daring project that could have been Abhishek Bachchan’s debut film. However, the sensitive and controversial nature of its story led to its cancellation. While Abhishek eventually made his debut with Refugee, the story of Samjhauta Express remains a fascinating “what if” in Bollywood history. Amitabh Bachchan’s strong reaction to the script and the industry’s reluctance to back such a risky film ultimately prevented it from being made. Despite this, the story highlights the challenges and pressures faced by Abhishek in his early career, particularly as the son of one of India’s greatest actors.
