Bollywood got its action hero in Ajay Devgn when the young lad stunned everyone by standing upright on two moving bikes in his debut film Phool Aur Kaante in 1991. The film went on to become the biggest hit of that year and gave a glorious start to Ajay's acting career. In the same year, the industry found another action hero in Akshay Kumar who made his debut with Saugandh. Though Akshay didn't taste the same success as Ajay but the former cemented his foot in the industry the next year with his stellar 1992 hit, Khiladi. Also Read - Sooryavanshi: Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif's action-entertainer to release on THIS date at the box office?
Filmmakers tried to cash in on their new found popularity by pitting them against each other in movies like Suhaag (1994), Khakee (2004) and Insan (2005). The two will now join forces in Rohit Shetty's upcoming action drama Sooryavanshi which also stars Ranveer Singh in a prominent role. While Ajay will reprise his role of Bajirao Singham, Akshay will essay the role of an ATS officer in the film. Also Read - Indian 2 and 2.0 director Shankar to collaborate with THIS Tollywood star for his next pan-India project?
Both Ajay and Akshay have had their own separate journeys in Bollywood and carved a niche for themselves in the industry. The two are one of the biggest stars in the industry now. But did you know Akshay was supposed to make his debut in Phool Aur Kaante but was replaced by Ajay just a day before kickstarting the shoot? He had received a call and was told, 'Bhai aap mat aana (Don't come).' Also Read - Trending Entertainment News Today — Here's why Priyanka Chopra didn't name and shame the director who told her, 'chaddiyan dikhni chahiye'; Maidaan and RRR set to clash with this HOLLYWOOD BIGGIE
“Hum dono ne apna career saath mein hi shuru kiya tha. Aisa shuru kiya tha ki ek hi film ke liye dono lade the. Pehli film jo humari thi, Phool Aur Kaante, jisme pehle main tha phir isne mujhe dhakka maar ke role le liya (We both started our careers together. We, in fact, fought for the same film. I was originally cast in Phool Aur Kaante but he pushed me out and got the film)," Akshay had made the revelation on a hilarious note at the Sooryavanshi trailer launch, which Ajay was also a part of.
In another interview, Ajay had recalled how he was cast in Phool Aur Kaante. His story was totally different from Akshays and had no mention about it. "I would go to college till 11 am, and then work as an assistant director for the whole day. I was really enjoying life, making my own films. Suddenly, I came home one day and Kuku Kohli (director of Phool Aur Kaante) was just sitting there with my dad. My dad always wanted me to be an actor. Kuku ji told me, 'I want you to do a film for me.' I was like, 'Are you mad, I am just 18 years old, I am enjoying life.' He insisted and said, 'No no, you are doing a film.'"
He further added, "I refused. This was in October 1990. And they pushed me into it and by November, I was shooting. This is how Phool Aur Kaante happened. I did it with the attitude that I am going to work hard, now if the film works, fine, otherwise I am not going to roam around with a portfolio. I will go back to filmmaking, which I really loved. But it worked and since then I never got the time to think."
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