Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has revealed an interesting casting twist from his 2002 crime drama Company: he initially offered the role of Malik to Shah Rukh Khan, but after one meeting decided the part was better suited for Ajay Devgn.
Why Shah Rukh Khan wasn’t the right fit
Varma told interviewer Siddharth Kannan that Shah Rukh was keen after hearing the story, but his natural energy didn’t match the quiet, cold-minded vibe Varma wanted for Malik. “Shah Rukh has this natural body language, very energetic, he’s like a live wire,” Varma said, adding that forcing SRK into that subdued role would have been unfair to both the actor and the film.
Ajay Devgn got the part — and why
After leaving Shah Rukh’s home, Varma called Ajay Devgn and finalized him for Malik. He felt Ajay’s calm, understated style matched the character perfectly. The director made a clear distinction between different acting styles, saying some actors are performers with high energy while others bring a quieter intensity — and Malik needed the latter.
The rest of the cast
- Vivek Oberoi played Chandru, stepping in after Abhishek Bachchan was unavailable due to other commitments.
- The film also marked Mohanlal’s debut in Hindi cinema.
Company — success and legacy
The film, the second in Varma’s gangster trilogy, was both a critical and commercial hit. Made on a budget of Rs 9.5 crores, it went on to gross Rs 25.02 crores, cementing its place in early 2000s gangster cinema.
What’s next for RGV: Police Station Mein Bhoot
Ram Gopal Varma is reuniting with Manoj Bajpayee for a horror-comedy titled Police Station Mein Bhoot. RGV set up the premise with a provocative line: “We run to the police when scared, but where will the police run to when they get scared?”
The story follows a police station that becomes haunted after a deadly encounter, forcing officers to flee from the vengeful ghosts of slain gangsters. Release details and the rest of the cast haven’t been announced yet.
