Baazigar remains one of Bollywood's most iconic thrillers. Directed by Abbas-Mustan, the film drew heavy inspiration from A Kiss Before Dying. That Hollywood film starred Matt Dillon and was based on the novel of the same name.
Many scenes in Baazigar closely mirror the Hollywood version, and some sequences appear as direct recreations. Despite this, the Hindi adaptation added emotional depth. It introduced a revenge-driven motive. The film also became a turning point for Shah Rukh Khan, who played a vengeful anti-hero, which was unusual at the time. Interestingly, the role was initially planned for Deepak Tijori.
The Iconic Murder Scene Comparison
One of the most talked-about similarities is the murder sequence. In Baazigar, the character Seema, played by Shilpa Shetty, is killed in a shocking scene. This moment closely resembles Dorothy's death in the Hollywood film.
The setup in both films is nearly identical: the protagonist takes his girlfriend to a high-rise location. He pretends they are going there to get married. At the crucial moment, he pushes her off the edge.
The visuals, framing, and execution are strikingly similar. The victim's sudden fall and the killer's cold reaction stand out.
Deception and Double Identity in Baazigar
After the murder, the story follows a similar path in both films. The protagonist adopts a new identity. In Baazigar, he targets the younger sister Priya, played by Kajol. This mirrors the Hollywood narrative. Jonathan, played by Matt Dillon, assumes the alias Jay Faraday to romance Ellen. Both characters use charm and calculated wit. They slowly gain the trust of the wealthy family.
As the story progresses, suspicion begins to grow. In both films, the younger sister starts investigating her sibling's death. She refuses to believe it was a simple suicide. This leads to a reveal as she discovers that her lover is the same man responsible for her sister's death. Social media users often point out the similarities. Many highlight identical framing in key scenes.
Deepak Tijori's Missed Opportunity
In 2023, Deepak Tijori opened up about the film's origins. He revealed to Bollywood Hungama that he had suggested adapting A Kiss Before Dying. He shared the idea with Abbas-Mustan after working with them on Khiladi. According to the same portal, he said he was eager to play the lead role. He also approached producer Pahlaj Nihalani with the concept. The producer reportedly liked the idea.
However, things took a turn later. The directors decided to make the film with Shah Rukh Khan under a different setup. Tijori revealed that he even encouraged SRK to accept the role. Though he felt disappointed, he accepted the situation.
He also shared a lesson from the experience. He said that promises of compensation in the industry often do not materialise. While he regrets missing Baazigar, he believes stepping away was the right choice.
The film eventually starred Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Shilpa Shetty. It went on to become a major hit and a defining moment in Bollywood history.
