The 90s witnessed the dominance of Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit, captivating audiences with their performances and on-screen pairings. They collaborated in various films, earning immense popularity. An upcoming film project sparked their interest, and they were almost confirmed for the lead roles. However, the director made a strategic decision to cast two new actors, capitalizing on the fresh appeal and potential for the film. This film, ‘Pardes,’ would go on to be a massive commercial success.
‘Pardes,’ released in 1997, starred Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. The film also featured Mahima Chaudhry and Apurva Agnihotri, alongside veteran actors such as Amrish Puri and Alok Nath. It was a significant debut for both Mahima and Apurva.
Initially, Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit were the top choices for the makers of ‘Pardes.’ Their casting was nearly finalized. However, director Subhash Ghai altered the star cast and selected Apurva and Mahima. Mahima was awarded the Best Debut Actress for her role in ‘Pardes.’ This film proved to be a significant launchpad for both newcomers.
During an interview, director Subhash Ghai shared insights into the making of ‘Pardes.’ He revealed that he was under pressure after the failure of his film ‘Trimurti.’ Many believed a film with a large star cast would guarantee success. Nevertheless, he chose Mahima and Apurva, aiming for the audience to focus on the film’s story rather than the star power.
‘Pardes’ holds a special place in cinema history, being Subhash Ghai’s first film to be shot internationally. The film’s narrative and music were major hits, with the songs becoming immensely popular. The film’s success led Ghai to gift the music directors, Nadeem and Shravan, with two cars as a token of appreciation.