Veteran Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon has revealed that she was the first choice for Yash Chopra’s 1993 psychological thriller Darr, a film that ultimately starred Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla.
Turned Down Yash Chopra’s Offer
In a recent interview, Raveena shared that the late filmmaker Yash Chopra had approached her to play the female lead opposite Shah Rukh Khan. However, she turned down the role for personal reasons. “Darr had come to me first,” she said. “It wasn’t vulgar, but there were some scenes I was not comfortable with.”
Personal Boundaries and Career Choices
Reflecting on her early years, the Mohra and Andaz Apna Apna star said she often declined roles that demanded intimate or close-proximity scenes. “I used to be uncomfortable with a lot of things,” she explained. “I was very uncomfortable with proximity, especially with people I didn’t know well.”
Raveena noted that her reserved nature sometimes led to misconceptions on set. “I wasn’t snooty, just a bit reserved. Maybe that’s why people treated me like one of the boys,” she added with a smile.
Also Declined Prem Qaidi
The actress further revealed that she had turned down the role of Neelima in Prem Qaidi, which later became Karisma Kapoor’s debut film. According to Raveena, her choices were guided by comfort and personal values rather than professional ambition.
Legacy of Darr
Directed by Yash Chopra, Darr became a turning point in Shah Rukh Khan’s career, earning him immense praise for his portrayal of an obsessive lover. The film, also starring Sunny Deol and Juhi Chawla, remains one of Bollywood’s most celebrated thrillers even three decades later.
