RGV reveals why he didn’t cast SRK for Dawood

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma’s 2002 film Company remains a beloved gangster drama, loosely inspired by the infamous underworld organisation, D-Company, led by Don Dawood Ibrahim. Surprisingly, Ajay Devgn and Vivek Oberoi were not Varma’s initial choices for the pivotal roles. In fact, he initially approached Shah Rukh Khan to portray Dawood Ibrahim and considered Abhishek Bachchan for the character of Chota Rajan.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Varma shared insights into his casting decisions. Regarding Shah Rukh Khan, Varma recounted, “At one point of time, I wanted Shah Rukh. I met Shah Rukh and he was excited. I wanted Shah Rukh for Dawood.” However, he ultimately decided against casting Khan due to concerns about his energetic persona. “I felt that he’s very hyper; his energy, the way he is… That’s what people like. I thought, to make him very subtle – not moving at all and very silent — I thought it would look very odd on screen,” explained Varma. He acknowledged Khan as a “performer” but opted for Ajay Devgn’s more subdued demeanour for the role of Malik, the character that eventually went to him. Discussing Abhishek Bachchan, Varma mentioned that he couldn’t cast him in Company due to the actor’s busy schedule with other projects at the time.
Additionally, Varma disclosed that he initially approached Kamal Haasan for the role of the Mumbai police commissioner in the film, which eventually went to Mohanlal.
Company continues to be celebrated for its gritty portrayal of Mumbai’s underworld, with its casting choices adding to its enduring legacy in Indian cinema.