Deepak Tijori, known for his impactful roles in Bollywood, recently opened up about his journey, including his breakthrough role in the film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. Tijori, who played the character of Shekhar Malhotra, described how he landed this pivotal role after earlier auditions by actors Milind Soman and Akshay Kumar didn’t work out.
In Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Deepak Tijori’s role as Shekhar Malhotra is that of a wealthy, confident young man who contrasts sharply with the film’s protagonist, Sanjaylal, played by Aamir Khan. Despite being a character who is disliked by many for his arrogance, Tijori’s portrayal of Shekhar has resonated with audiences, earning him both love and criticism. He reflects on this, saying, “It’s humbling to know that a villain could achieve such a pinnacle, despite being hated and disliked for his actions, yet becoming a hero to many who admired his arrogance and attitude.”
Overcoming Challenges and Training Hard
Initially, Tijori found it difficult to connect with Shekhar’s character. He admitted that embodying Shekhar Malhotra’s arrogance was a challenge because it was so different from his own personality. “I am so unlike Shekhar Malhotra in real life. Cultivating that level of arrogance and attitude was tough,” he shared. However, his hard work paid off. Tijori recalled the moment during a promotional event in Delhi when he and Aamir Khan were surprised to see the audience cheer for Shekhar Malhotra, particularly during the film’s climax race.
Deepak Tijori Shared The Role of Aamir Khan in his Success
Tijori also shared an interesting anecdote about how he secured the role of Shekhar Malhotra. He revealed that despite initially being rejected, he got a second chance thanks to Aamir Khan’s recommendation. “I too had auditioned when Akshay and Milind were trying for the role, and I too was rejected. It was so ironic that I was called back, and I was told it was due to Aamir strongly recommending my name to Mansoor,” Tijori explained.
At the time, Tijori was focused on building his career in the film industry, having completed Aashiqui. He recounted a memorable moment when Mahesh Bhatt, a respected filmmaker, instructed him to meet Mansoor Khan, the director of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. Despite his doubts about being selected after earlier rejections, Tijori followed Bhatt’s advice. “Aamir has asked me to tell you to do that, and you just shut up and do what I am asking of you,” Bhatt told him. This recommendation from Aamir Khan played a crucial role in Tijori landing the part.
During the filming of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, a notable moment involved a crucial decision about a fight sequence between Tijori’s character, Shekhar, and Mamik Singh’s character, Ratanlal. Mansoor Khan, the director, brought Tijori and Khan together for a discussion about the sequence. “Mansoor told us, ‘So guys, as you know, tomorrow we are shooting Deepak’s fight sequence with Mamik.’ He then asked, ‘Should Deepak bash up Mamik, or should Deepak get bashed up?’” Tijori recalled. This decision-making process was part of the collaborative and creative approach that shaped the film.
Paying Tribute to Sanjeev Kumar
In addition to his film career, Tijori has been involved in directing films such as Oops!, Fareb, Khamoshh… Khauff Ki Raat, and Tom, Dick, and Harry. Recently, he paid tribute to one of his idols, the legendary actor Sanjeev Kumar, on the occasion of Kumar’s birth anniversary. Tijori recreated Kumar’s iconic song “Meri Jaan” and shared it on his YouTube channel as a heartfelt tribute.
Reflecting on his career and achievements, Tijori expressed gratitude for the opportunities he received and the hard work he put in. “I wasn’t fit when I was brought in to replace an actor. I wasn’t prepared and wasn’t much of a gym guy. But I trained hard to become Shekhar Malhotra. Today, I am glad for having worked so hard on it back then, as it paid off over decades,” he said. He also acknowledged the sacrifices and dedication required to succeed in the industry, noting that achieving one’s goals often involves overcoming significant challenges.
Through his reflections and tributes, Deepak Tijori continues to honor the people and experiences that have shaped his career, while also celebrating his achievements and contributions to Indian cinema.
