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He’s been the villain you feared the father you wept with and the friend you rooted for. But even after five decades in cinema and over 500 films one legendary role slipped right through Anupam Kher’s fingers thanks to betrayal cloaked as friendship. Who was originally cast as Mogambo? In a revelation that stunned fans Anupam Kher recently shared on a podcast that he was the original choice for Mr. Indias dreaded villain Mogambo. Director Shekhar Kapur had even begun planning the role with him in mind. But fate and friendship had other plans. How did he lose the role? Despite initial plans and partial shoots Kher was abruptly dropped from the film. The reason? His close friend and co-star Anil Kapoor allegedly had a role in the recasting decision. Amrish Puri was brought in instead and what followed was history. “Mogambo khush hua” became an immortal line. How did Anupam react to being replaced? I felt jealous. I felt small Anupam confessed. It wasn’t just about losing a role — I had already shot scenes. It shook me. He shared how he and Kapur had envisioned Mogambo as a more cunning calculated antagonist rather than the larger-than-life tyrant Puri portrayed. Was it all for the best? With time perspective changed. Kher admitted “Looking back now I realise it was the right decision for the film.” Despite the professional setback he continued to build an extraordinary body of work but the “what if” still lingers. Interestingly Kher also revealed he once watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest five times back-to-back at FTII proof of the intense passion he’s always held for storytelling and character depth. This tale isn’t just about a missed opportunity — it’s about ego betrayal and the kind of heartbreak that doesn’t make it to the big screen. And yet like every great performer Anupam Kher turned even rejection into a masterclass in resilience.