In the world of Bollywood, some stories remain hidden behind the glitz and glamour. One such story revolves around Abhishek Bachchan’s almost-debut in a film that never saw the light of day. Before making his official entry into Bollywood with Refugee, Abhishek was on the brink of starring in a very different project—Samjhauta Express, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

Samjhauta Express was meant to be a gripping film, with Abhishek cast in the challenging role of a Pakistani terrorist. The script, co-written by Mehra and Kamlesh Pandey, was ambitious and intense. Abhishek, fully committed to his role, even maintained a character diary to delve deeper into his portrayal. The project had progressed significantly, with nearly a year’s worth of work invested in it.

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However, the film’s sensitive subject matter sparked concerns within the industry. The role of a terrorist in his debut film was considered risky for Abhishek, potentially setting a controversial tone for his career. Despite the creative team’s passion, the feedback from the market and industry insiders was less than encouraging. The project was ultimately deemed too controversial, leading to its abrupt cancellation just three months before filming was set to begin.

In a moment of frustration and disappointment, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra decided to burn all the materials related to the film, including the script and the actors’ look tests. This drastic action marked the end of Samjhauta Express, a film that could have been Abhishek Bachchan’s first step into the world of cinema.

Interestingly, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek’s father, also had a significant influence on the film’s fate. When Abhishek and Mehra presented the script to him, Amitabh’s disapproval was clear. He famously labeled the script as “nonsense” and advised them to scrap the project.

Though Samjhauta Express never made it to the silver screen, it remains a fascinating chapter in Bollywood’s history—a story of what could have been, shaped by the complexities and sensitivities of its time.