Bollywood fans might be surprised to know that one of the biggest gangster dramas almost had a different lead.

DYK Shah Rukh Khan was initially approached to play Malik in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company?

Ram Gopal Varma, recently, revealed that while Shah Rukh showed interest. But the director said that he wasn’t too confident about “SRK’s natural body language, energetic, he is like a live wire.”

RGV thought that the character, Malik, was calm, composed and cool-headed — a stark contrast to Shah Rukh Khan’s energetic persona.

The director added that SRK’s “natural energy would go against that. To (cast) Shah Rukh still would be an injustice to both him and the film.”

After realising Shah Rukh Khan wasn’t the right fit, Ram Gopal Varma immediately called Ajay Devgn for the role.

Ajay Devgn’s natural calm and composed demeanour made him the perfect choice for the gangster drama.

The film, released in 2002, became a box office success and earned critical acclaim.

Vivek Oberoi’s Chandrakant also made a strong impression in the film. FYI: The role was first offered to Abhishek Bachchan, but he was busy.

Company also marked South superstar Mohanlal’s Bollywood debut. He played the role of a police officer in the film.

Manisha Koirala, Antara Mali, and Seema Biswas were also part of the film.