When Sajid Khan was supposed to play the role of Circuit, but could not

Popular movie characters Munna Bhai and his sidekick Circuit have made millions of viewers smile and laugh, every single time they have appeared on big screen. Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani had made his dream debut as a storyteller with his 2003 released iconic film ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ which starred Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi playing the lovable jodi of Munna Bhai and Circuit respectively. For Sanjay Dutt as an actor, portraying the role of a bhai was not that difficult. But, certainly it was Arshad Warsi’s performance as Circuit that went on to surprise audiences, and ultimately won everyone’s hearts. However, recently we stumbled upon an interview where a certain filmmaker-actor had opened up on his biggest regret of not meeting Rajkumar Hirani who wanted him to do Circuit’s role in ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’. And it was none other than Sajid Khan. Yes! You read that right.

For the ones who aren’t aware, Sajid Khan had made his acting debut in Bollywood with late filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s last directorial ‘Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate’ (1998) which starred Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla playing the lead roles. After this film, the actor went on to host the popular TV show ‘Kehne Mein Kya Harj Hai’, and possibly it was somewhere during this time when the debutant filmmaker Hirani wanted to cast him for Circuit’s role. Perhaps, it was due to Sajid’s bang on comic timing. (Also Read: When Saif Ali Khan admitted that he was a nutcase…)

Recently, Sajid Khan’s debut film (as a director) ‘Heyy Babyy’ completed 10 years of its release, and the filmmaker gave an exclusive interview to DNA, on the occasion. During this interview, he was asked about the reason behind him acting in so few films. To which, he replied by saying, “I was offered quite a number of films after ‘Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate’, but I never intended to be an actor in the first place. My biggest regret in life, later, was not meeting Rajkumar Hirani when he wanted me to do Arshad’s role in ‘Munna Bhai’. Sanju also told me meet him. Maybe I was too busy with my TV work at that time and not keen on acting. I was offered ‘Shaandaar’ recently and another film called ‘Coffee with D’ in the main role. I don’t think I can be a lead actor, but a strong character actor. I’d like to do something I can pull off.”

What a surprising revelation made by Sajid. Well, we do think that the character of Circuit would have had a different flavour, had Sajid played the same. But, as they say, what is to happen will happen. It is all decided by fate. Ultimately, the role was played by Arshad Warsi, and earned him love and accolades alike.

Well it is now difficult for us to imagine anyone but Arshad Warsi in this role which his Bollywood career a new lease of life, and turned out to be a major turning point in his career.

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.