Akshay Kumar Was First Offered Suniel Shetty's Role In Hera Pheri, Reveals Priyadarshan Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan have confirmed that Kumar was initially offered the role of Suniel Shetty’s character in the 2000 comedy Hera Pheri, a film that marked a turning point in Kumar’s career by shifting his image from an action star to a comedian. The duo, who have collaborated on multiple successful projects, emphasized their seamless working relationship and shared vision for their upcoming film Bhooth Bangla, a horror-comedy set for release on April 10. Their partnership began with Hera Pheri, which featured Kumar as Raju, a cunning loafer alongside Paresh Rawal’s Baburao Ganpatrao Apte and Suniel Shetty’s Shyam. The film’s success led to a string of hits, including Garam Masala, Bhaagam Bhaag, Bhool Bhulaiyya, De Dana Dan, and Khatta Meetha. Priyadarshan revealed that he had originally intended for Kumar to play Shyam, the hero role, but Kumar requested to take on Raju’s character instead. “He (Kumar) said, ‘I don’t want to be the hero, let me do Raju’s role.’ I was shocked, but he was right,” Priyadarshan recalled. The decision proved successful, as Kumar’s portrayal of Raju became iconic. Kumar credited Priyadarshan for introducing him to situational comedy and teaching him the importance of a director’s conviction. “He taught me how to approach comedy with a director’s mindset, not just through different camera angles,” Kumar said. Priyadarshan added that Kumar’s ability to adapt to the script’s demands, regardless of the role’s size, has been a key factor in their long collaboration. “Whether it’s a 10-day role or a major part, he’s always willing to be part of a good film,” Priyadarshan noted.#suniel_shetty #akshay_kumar #priyadarshan #bhooth_bangla #hera_pheri
