Monica Bedi has had many good films to her name in her filmography, but she lost out on a big chance to star opposite Salman Khan in a blockbuster. You heard it right, Monica Bedi had the chance to be the leading lady opposite Salman Khan in Karan Arjun. But she lost it out to Mamta Kulkarni due to her own suspicions.
Monica on being approached by Rakesh Roshan
In a recent interview with Siddharth Kanan, Monica revealed that she was approached by Rakesh for Karan Arjun. However, at that time she didn’t know that he wasn’t just an actor but also a filmmaker. She shared, “At Subhash Ghai’s Holi party, Rakesh Roshan walked up to me. I knew he is an actor, I had watched his films. But I didn’t know he is also a director-producer. So, he came to me and did some small talk. He gave me his card and told me, ‘Come and see me tomorrow.'”
One her suspicions…
While Monica accepted Rakesh’s card but not knowing about his filmmaking background, she grew suspicious. She said, “I was like why is he calling me over, he is an actor. I tore the card and threw it away. I was like there is something fishy. After a few months, my manager asked, ‘Why didn’t you go to meet him? He was making this film called Karan Arjun and wanted you for the role which Mamta Kulkarni played opposite Salman Khan.”
The role eventually went to Mamta Kulkarni. Karan Arjun released in 1995 and starred Salman, Shah Rukh Khan, Rakhee, Kajol and Mamta. It was one of the most successful films of the year and the second-highest grossing Hindi film in 1995.
Monica on losing a debut by Manoj Kumar
This actually wasn’t the first time Monica lost out on a big chance. It happened once before with her when she was to be launched by the late legend Manoj Kumar. However, things didn’t materialise. She revealed, “Manoj Kumar discovered me. He was making a film with his son and he saw me where I used to learn Kathak and he met me and my mom through my dance guru. He asked my mom, ‘I am making a film, will you like your daughter to be a part of it?’ I was super excited and so happy.”
But due to some reasons, the film never happened. And Monica waited 1.5 years for it in vain. She informed, “The film never took off. It was not his fault. Sometimes things don’t happen the way you plan them. But I was sitting at home for 1.5 years.”
Monica went on to do films not just in Hindi, but down South as well. However, it was her stint in reality shows Bigg Boss 2 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 that brought her into limelight. She even forayed in television with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saraswatichandra. But she has been away from the screen for a while now. Here’s hoping to see her back on screen soon.
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