As Bobby Deol prepares for the release of his upcoming thriller ‘Bandar’, the actor has revisited one of the most painful chapters of his career: being replaced in Imtiaz Ali’s 2007 romantic classic ‘Jab We Met’ by Shahid Kapoor .
In a candid appearance on ‘Aap Ki Adalat’, Bobby revealed that he was not just attached to the project—he was the one who helped set it in motion. He had identified Imtiaz Ali’s talent early, brought Kareena Kapoor on board, and pitched the film to production houses .
“That story is done now. We’re friends. My heart got broken because I needed a film like this during that phase of my career,” Bobby said .
The film he helped build
Bobby’s connection to ‘Jab We Met’ began after he watched a rough cut of Imtiaz Ali’s debut film ‘Socha Na Tha’, which starred his cousin Abhay Deol . Impressed by the director’s vision, he wanted to collaborate and asked Imtiaz to write a script for him .
He managed to get Kareena Kapoor associated with the project and approached Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision to back it. However, despite his efforts, the film remained stuck due to his waning market position .
“When your market position isn’t good, nobody backs you. So much time passed trying to get the film started. The production house I pitched it to said Imtiaz is a very expensive director. But the same production house ended up making the film with Imtiaz, and with the same heroine I’d gotten on board,” Bobby recalled .
The Imtiaz Ali version
Imtiaz Ali has offered a different perspective on the timeline. In a 2023 interview, he said he waited two years for Bobby to start the project, but the actor kept postponing due to other offers.
“Socha Na Tha got over, but I still didn’t make the film for two years because I wanted Bobby to start it,” Imtiaz told The Lallantop . “He was getting other offers from big directors, so he was waiting for that to happen. He kept postponing my film, but then a time came when I didn’t find it correct because a lot of time went by. It was putting financial strain on me.”
‘Hurt and anger should become my strength’
Regardless of whose version one accepts, Bobby Deol says the experience broke him—but then rebuilt him.
“These things do happen. It never happens that only good things happen to someone,” he reasoned .
Instead of letting the disappointment consume him, Bobby chose to channel it. “When I began working on myself, I decided the hurt and anger I’ve gone through should become my strength. Because you can’t just keep crying about it,” he said .
The result, he believes, is visible in his work. “These things made me a better person and a better actor. I’ve only learnt from them. I don’t have any qualms with anyone,” Bobby added .
The comeback and ‘Bandar’
Bobby’s career revival has been remarkable. After years of struggling—including a phase where he would visit directors’ offices saying, “I am Bobby Deol. Please give me work”—he made a strong comeback with Prakash Jha’s ‘Aashram’ . Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ then catapulted him back into the mainstream .
Now, he is set to headline Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Bandar’, a thriller where he plays a fading superstar accused of rape—a role that draws on his real-life experience of being written off by the industry.
“I needed a film like that (‘Jab We Met’) during that phase of my career,” Bobby reflected. “But maybe if I had done it, I wouldn’t have learned what I learned. Everything happens for a reason” .
