EXCLUSIVE: Shatrughan Sinha clarifies why he slept during the narration of Kalicharan, admits, “It brought a lot of fame”

Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha began his Bollywood career as an antagonist, but he quickly gained fame and became the leading man in several iconic films. In an interview with Arbaaz Khan on the show ‘The Invincibles’, Sinha discussed his journey in the Bollywood industry. He also expressed regret over his decision not to work in ‘Sholay’ and shared how ‘Kalicharan’ was a turning point in his career.

Shatrughan Sinha on Kalicharan being a turning point

Arbaaz asked him whether he considers Kalicharan to be major turning point in his life. Sinha responded, “This is an interesting matter. Subhash Ghai, who is both a friend and my wife’s brother, has a great sense of humour and mischief. He told someone that I fell asleep during the narration, but let me clarify first that I was not the first choice for the film ‘Kalicharan’. Maybe because he was a friend, he (Subhash Ghai) tried out some other people too. I used to hear that this person was tried, that person was tried, but it’s okay.”

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To which Arbaaz guesses whether it was Rajesh Khanna. Sinha continues, “Maybe…I’ve heard that, but they were unaware of me . We used to be together morning, noon, evening, night. It didn’t strike him; he thought this person was such a big star. At that time, I had already become a star, and it’s a misconception that I became a star from ‘Kalicharan.’ Before that, my film ‘Sangram’ was a big hit, and there were many other films too. ‘Aadmi Sadak Ka’ was a superhit film, by Devendra Goyal. When he (Subhash Ghai) came to tell the story, he thought, ‘There’s darkness under the lamp, this is someone from our own home.”

He further added that N.N Sippy also called to confirm

Sinha remarked, “So he talked to Nari Sippy sahab and said, ‘I’ll talk to him (Shatrughan Sinha),’ and he asked if I would agree. Subhash said, ‘I’ll try, he’s my friend.’ After that, at night, he came home and sat down. I was shooting at the time. I used to be very busy in those days. After shooting for several hours, when I came home, I saw that Subhash was sitting there. I thought, ‘He’s from the family, let’s sit.’ He says correctly that I fell asleep, but he doesn’t mention that he was narrating the story to me at 4 am. I had come home at 2:30 am, and at 4.00 am, during the brahma muhurta, he was narrating the story of Kalicharan to me. He wasn’t narrating the Ramayana or Geeta that I would stay awake; he was narrating Kalicharan, so I fell asleep.”

Shatrughan Sinha also shared that when N.N. Sippy called to confirmed whether he was ready to work with Subhash Ghai on Kalicharan. Sinha replied assertively to this which made the late N.N. Sippy happy.

During the conversation Sinha said to Sippy, “Nari bhai, what a subject, fantastic.” I wanted to support a friend, so I said it was a great subject. And Nari bhai, if Subhash Ghai directs this subject, as I have heard he will, he will do a great job, and then I will do it. He asked if I would definitely do it. I said I would do it with Subhash Ghai, and he said go ahead. And that’s how things moved forward, and it’s true what you said that Kali Charan brought a lot of fame.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Shatrughan Sinha regrets NOT doing iconic Sholay and Deewar: Ahankaar nahi, human error tha