Did you know Rakesh Roshan wanted to cast Salman Khan in 'King Uncle'? Here's how Shah Rukh Khan convinced him and bagged the role

Rakesh Roshan, a multifaceted talent in Hindi cinema, has made his mark as an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. Son of renowned music director Roshanlal Nagrath, he appeared in nearly 85 films, mostly in supporting roles. Following his father’s untimely demise, he began his journey as an assistant director.

Rakesh Roshan debuted with Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, but most of his solo-hero films struggled at the box office. In 1987, he turned director with Khudgarz, a blockbuster success. His next, Khoon Bhari Maang starring Rekha, was another hit, earning him a Best Director nomination. Hits like Kishen Kanhaiya, Khel, and King Uncle followed.

King Uncle: A Career Boost for SRK
King Uncle not only boosted Rakesh Roshan’s career but also played a key role in Shah Rukh Khan’s rise to fame. Initially, Rakesh hadn’t considered SRK for the role alongside Jackie Shroff. However, it was Shah Rukh who convinced the director to cast him as ‘Anil Bansal.’ Here’s how it happened!



Salman Khan Was Rakesh Roshan’s First Choice
Inspired by the 1982 Hollywood film Annie, King Uncle starred Jackie Shroff in the lead, along with Shah Rukh Khan, Nivedita Joshi, Nagma, Sushmita Mukherjee, Dinesh Hingoo, and the late Deven Verma. Initially, Rakesh Roshan wanted Salman Khan for Jackie’s brother’s role, but Shah Rukh convinced him and secured the part.



Shah Rukh Khan was a rising star, gaining recognition after his success in television. As he transitioned into films, he had already worked on projects like Deewana, Chamatkar, and Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, steadily making his mark in Bollywood.

How SRK’s Sharp Business Sense Convinced Rakesh Roshan
SRK’s close friend and producer, Vivek Vaswani, knew Rakesh Roshan was considering Salman Khan for Jackie Shroff’s on-screen brother. Believing in SRK’s potential, Vivek set up a meeting between them. When Rakesh asked why he should cast him, Shah Rukh’s confident and compelling response won the director’s heart.



Shah Rukh confidently told Rakesh Roshan that since the film was already sold, casting Salman wouldn’t increase its value but would cost more. Instead, signing him would be budget-friendly. This clever reasoning left Rakesh impressed and amused by SRK’s sharp business sense, ultimately securing him the role in King Uncle.