Overview

• On Kunickaa Sadanand’s podcast, Shroff recalled how Dev Anand initially offered him the second lead in the 1982 film Swami Dada before rescinding the part.
• Fifteen days after the original offer, Anand replaced Shroff with Mithun Chakraborty, citing Chakraborty’s stronger dance skills and greater seniority.
• Offered a minor role as a henchman in Shakti Kapoor’s villain’s den, Shroff accepted out of admiration and delivered the performance with full dedication.
• That uncredited appearance preceded Shroff’s breakthrough as the lead in Subhash Ghai’s Hero (1983), which propelled him to stardom.
• The revelation has prompted fresh examination of casting choices and the role of resilience in sustaining Bollywood careers.