How Shahrukh backstabbed Akshay!

shetty |

19 | February 17, 2009 at 6:43 pm | 98 views | NaachGaana Bol| Share

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

By Kunal M Shah

Mumbai Mirror

Though it is known that initially, it was Akshay Kumar and not Shah Rukh Khan who was to play Sahir Khan in Priyadarshan’s Billu, the astonishing fact is that Akshay had not the slightest inkling that he was ousted from the project till the very last minute. Or that SRK had taken over the film and that it was to be produced by SRK’s banner, Red Chillies Entertainment.

Our source said, “The script of Billu (then known as Billu Barber) was narrated to Akshay Kumar as director Priyadarshan was keen to make the film with Akshay. Priyan believed that any film of his that did not star Akshay failed at the box-office. For instance, Priyan’s film Kyunki with Salman Khan, Dhol with Tusshar Kapoor and Sharman Joshi and Mere Baap Pehle Aap with Akshaye Khanna. Akshay liked the script of Billu and everything was finalised.”

Interestingly, Akshay was also supposed to produce the film under his banner, Hari Om Productions. “A couple of people from Akshay’s production company were to accompany Priyan to see some locations in Cochin. However, just a day before Akshay’s people were to leave for Cochin with Priyan, the actor was informed that the film was called off. Akshay was completely unaware that Priyan had met SRK who agreed to not only star in the film but also produce it,” said our source.

“After Akshay got to know about SRK’s involvement in Billu, he and Priyan had a meeting at Mehboob studios. That’s where Priyan personally told Akshay that he was making the film with SRK. There was no bitterness between Akshay and Priyan as they mutually decided to not make a big issue about this.”

A source close to Priyan said, “Priyan had always wanted to make a film with SRK. Earlier too, they had discussed quite a few subjects but nothing really worked out between Priyan and SRK. Priyan happened to casually narrate the script of Billu to SRK. The actor loved the script and told Priyan that he wanted to make it under his banner. Regardless of Akshay being his lucky mascot, Priyan who had been looking for an opportunity to work with SRK was more than happy and decided to make the film with SRK without informing Akshay.”

Now that Billu has proved to be a damp squib at the box-office, we figure Akshay is having the last laugh.

Priyan waits for Tabu’s nod for Aamir Khan-starrer

Akshay Kumar is King of box office!

Will Blue save Akshay Kumar?

“I always wanted be a pornstar”- Shahrukh Khan

SRK says no to Gowariker

There Are 19 Responses So Far. »

Kanwal 17 February 2009
07:28:10 pm

How is this backstabbing. Anyways it wasnt any good for Srk.

Yeah i think priyan also wanted to make kyon ki with srk but i guess kyon ki will flop.

Gabber 17 February 2009
07:33:30 pm

‘Now that Billu has proved to be a damp squib at the box-office, we figure Akshay is having the last laugh’

LOL

Gabber 17 February 2009
07:34:10 pm

“O Jaane Wale Ho Sake To Laut Ke Aana ”

Good one!

RAJ 17 February 2009
08:59:46 pm

“”Now that Billu has proved to be a damp squib at the box-office, we figure Akshay is having the last laugh.”"

This summarises Akki in the nutshell..INstead of worrying about the movies where he is the lead star…he is out there taking saddistic pleasure from his opponents’ movie where his opponent is only in a mere guest role…

Jesse 17 February 2009
09:19:47 pm

So over a year ago Akshay appears in 45 minutes of Bhool Bhuliya with Shiney Aujla as the lead star and gets a hit out of it. SRK, a year later with inflation and item numbers with top heroines in a similar size role can’t even get close to those numbers! Akshay > SRK.

Gabber 17 February 2009
09:24:36 pm

Jesse, the only difference between Bhool Bhulaiya and Billu is that while Juntaa were desperately waiting for Akshay to come onscreen during Bhool Bhulaiya, they were saddenned and surprised to see SRK in a major role despite Billu being advertised as Irfan in a major role.

B H A I 17 February 2009
09:28:23 pm

“So over a year ago Akshay appears in 45 minutes of Bhool Bhuliya with Shiney Aujla as the lead star and gets a hit out of it. SRK, a year later with inflation and item numbers with top heroines in a similar size role can’t even get close to those numbers! Akshay > SRK.”

Completely agree with Jesse

B H A I 17 February 2009
09:30:12 pm

“My 2009 prediction:

1 Aamir
2 Abhishek
3 Salman
4 Akshay
5,6 SRK/Hrithik
7 Abhay Deol
8 Shahid”

Mine would be

1.Aamir
2.Akshay
3.Abhishek
4.Salman

Saif, Hrithik , SRK share the remaining spot

B H A I 17 February 2009
09:30:34 pm

Oops wrong thread

B H A I 17 February 2009
09:32:14 pm

“the only difference between Bhool Bhulaiya and Billu is that while Juntaa were desperately waiting for Akshay to come onscreen during Bhool Bhulaiya, they were saddenned and surprised to see SRK in a major role despite Billu being advertised as Irfan in a major role.”

Couldn’t have said it better

B H A I 17 February 2009
09:33:56 pm

BTW good to see SRK back after piles operation.

Karan has said that he will take care of operated part as SRK will head straight to MNIK shooting

RAJ 17 February 2009
09:48:00 pm

Tentire bthread summarises the insecurity amongst the anti SRK brigade…But unfortunately…SRK still going to TOP this year too…

A C H I L L E S 18 February 2009
07:30:44 am

Akshay has to thank SRK for one less flop this year!

Btw, among all the jokes here, there might be a case for considering if Bhool Bhulaiya was Akshay’s hit … then Billu is SRK’s flop (if it flops!)

Tango 18 February 2009
08:56:46 am

Ach bhai are you sure Billu is a flop?

Tango 18 February 2009
08:58:05 am

BTW- This Kunal M Shah is the same guy who came up with a story about how Big B was furious with akshay for taking away Bhool Bhulaiyya role from him

A C H I L L E S 18 February 2009
09:06:09 am

Hello Tango bhai – I said ‘if’ it flops … we will know the final outcome after the second week.

Tango 18 February 2009
09:08:22 am

Oh my mistake Ach bhai.

Eros has the film for 35 crores includind Sattelite and Home Video, so I do not see them losing money.

A C H I L L E S 18 February 2009
09:13:21 am

Lets see how much it does in total run … before deciding on verdict … slow openers shud be given time to decide on the fate.

In the worst case if it flops in theatrical run .. even then it hardly matters … SRK had CDI, OSO, RNBDJ – 3 solid blockbusters in last two years … he has MNIK coming up … i dont see any worry … he will have DON 2 next year and he already is working on his next production.