'Mr. India' director Shekhar Kapur was once roped in to direct Bobby Deol's debut film, but was 'thrown out': 'I never walked out'

Renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, credited with landmark films such as Mr. India, Masoom, and Bandit Queen, was once at the helm of Barsaat, the debut vehicle for Bobby Deol. However, his journey with the project came to an abrupt halt after creative differences with veteran actor-producer Dharmendra, who was also Bobby’s father.

According to Kapur’s conversation with Filmfare, the romantic action drama’s concept was being developed, but he struggled to align with Dharmendra’s vision for the film. "Barsaat was an idea that was being developed, and I think I wasn't quite understanding Dharam ji's ideas..." he told Filmfare.

While in London, Sunny Deol contacted filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, who had previously worked with the Deol family.

Kapur stated that he even suggested Santoshi speak with Dharmendra, only to learn the next day that Santoshi had been confirmed as the new director. Kapur emphasized that he did not voluntarily leave the film but was replaced. Soon after, he channelled his focus toward creating Bandit Queen. "I never walked out; I have been thrown out of films," he said.

The Changing of Directors

In the early 1990s, Bobby Deol’s entry into Bollywood was treated as a high-profile launch, given his lineage as the younger son of Dharmendra. Paired opposite Twinkle Khanna, daughter of celebrated actors Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, Barsaat was initially envisioned as Kapur’s project, building on the momentum of his earlier successes.

Bobby, speaking at the 2023 Jagran Film Festival, recalled that filming began swiftly under Kapur’s direction. They shot for 27 days before circumstances shifted. According to Bobby, Kapur received an offer from Hollywood to work on Bandit Queen and indicated he would return to complete Barsaat afterward.

However, Dharmendra, unwilling to postpone his son’s launch, told Kapur to proceed with his new project while he brought another filmmaker on board. Rajkumar Santoshi, who Bobby described as being ready and eager, stepped in as director. Bobby credited Santoshi for shaping his debut and considered himself fortunate to work under his guidance.

The Story of Barsaat

Barsaat centers on Badal, played by Bobby Deol, an optimistic young man from a rural background who relocates to the city for higher education. There, he meets Tina, portrayed by Twinkle Khanna, the lively and independent daughter of a wealthy yet controlling father. The narrative follows their blossoming romance, which soon faces challenges when Badal’s straightforward nature clashes with Tina’s protective family. Central to the plot is the tension between love and parental authority, with Badal striving to prove his worth and win their approval.

Box Office Success

Despite the change in directors, Barsaat proved to be a massive success upon its release. The film resonated strongly with audiences, both for its romantic narrative and for introducing two star children in lead roles. It went on to become a blockbuster, collecting approximately Rs 34 crore at the box office, solidifying Bobby Deol’s entry into the Hindi film industry.