Deepak Tijori on Choosing Supporting Role in Aashiqui: 'I Knew Mahesh Bhatt Wouldn't Make Me a Hero'
Veteran actor Deepak Tijori recently opened up about his professional relationship with acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and the pivotal decision that shaped his career in the iconic 1990 film Aashiqui. In a candid interview, Tijori shared why he voluntarily stepped aside from the lead role, opting instead for a supporting part that would later become memorable.
The Casting Anecdote: Four Actors, One Decision
Tijori recalled a crucial moment during the early stages of Aashiqui's casting. "When four of us were competing for the lead role—Rahul Roy, Raj Zutshi, Akshay Anand, and myself—we were all struggling actors at the time," he explained. "Mahesh Bhatt gathered us on the sets of Daddy and said, 'I'm making a romantic film. You four decide among yourselves who will be the hero. I'll be back after my shot.'"
Initially, it seemed like a test of camaraderie, but Tijori approached it with pragmatic honesty. "I told Bhatt sahab clearly, 'I know you won't make me the hero because I've already done five or six films with small roles. Based on that track record, I understand no one would launch me as a lead. I'm content with a supporting role—let the other three decide.'" This self-awareness, Tijori noted, was key to navigating Bhatt's unconventional methods.
Mahesh Bhatt's Mentorship: Tough Love on Set
Reflecting on his bond with Bhatt, Tijori described the filmmaker as both a mentor and a strict guide. "Working with him was like being in a school," he said, emphasizing that Bhatt's reputation for being demanding stemmed from care rather than cruelty. "I've been scolded many times, but it always came from a place of love. He never humiliated anyone; his feedback was meant to uplift, even if it was misunderstood as harsh."
Despite this, Bhatt later attempted to break Tijori's image as a supporting actor. "After Sadak and Aashiqui, he planned a film with me as the lead and wanted to announce it publicly," Tijori revealed. However, industry perceptions proved insurmountable. "The entire Bollywood circuit had already labeled me as a supporting actor, and that stigma prevented him from reshaping my career."
Behind the Scenes: Fees, Bond with Rahul Roy, and Edited Scenes
Tijori also shared lesser-known details about Aashiqui's production. He disclosed that he and co-star Rahul Roy were each paid a flat fee of Rs 20,000 for their roles, with no room for negotiation. "It was more than enough at the time," he remarked, praising producer Mukesh Bhatt's fairness.
His relationship with Rahul Roy blossomed from a professional duty into a lifelong friendship. "Bhatt sahab tasked me with guiding Rahul since he wasn't an industry insider," Tijori said. "I cared for him like a brother then, and I still do today—wherever we go, I make sure to look after him."
In a revealing anecdote, Tijori mentioned that one of his emotional scenes with Roy was significantly trimmed during editing. "The scene was originally two minutes long but got cut to 45 seconds," he recalled. When he questioned Bhatt about it, the filmmaker responded bluntly: "If you perform better than my hero, the scene can't stay. My hero is my hero—people must love him for the film to succeed."
Legacy of Aashiqui and Lasting Impact
Released in 1990, Aashiqui became a massive blockbuster, catapulting Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal to stardom. Its success spawned a spiritual sequel, Aashiqui 2, in 2013, starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor, which also achieved commercial triumph. Tijori's decision to embrace a supporting role not only defined his career but also highlighted the intricate dynamics of Bollywood casting and mentorship.
Through his reflections, Deepak Tijori offers a glimpse into an era where honesty and resilience often trumped ambition, shaping the narratives of one of Hindi cinema's most beloved romantic dramas.
