Rajiv Rai’s 1997 thriller Gupt left audiences stunned with its daring twist—Kajol as the unexpected killer. The reveal didn’t just shock moviegoers; it even rattled Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan.
Bachchan’s Strong Reaction to Kajol as the Killer
In a recent chat on the Ravi Buleiy Official YouTube channel, the director revealed that Mr Bachchan was surprised by the twist in Gupt and questioned his decision to cast Kajol as the killer. Bachchan, who had worked closely with Rajiv’s father Gulshan Rai on films like Deewaar and Trishul, even scolded him for the bold choice, expressing concern over the unconventional plot.
Doubts and Vindication
Rajiv further shared that Big B questioned his confidence in making Kajol the killer in Gupt, expressing doubts about whether the twist would work with audiences. Rai, however, stood by his decision—and just two days later, the film’s massive success proved him right.He also recalled working as an assistant director on Trishul and Kaala Patthar, where he learned a great deal from Amitabh Bachchan’s professionalism. So, when he began directing, he approached Bachchan with a strong script. However, this happened between 1992 and 1994—a period when the actor was facing a rough patch in his career.
When Bachchan Turned Down a Film Written Just for Him
Rajiv revealed that he had collaborated with director Anees Bazmee to develop a script specifically for Amitabh Bachchan. Confident that the actor would accept it, they presented the narration—only to be turned down. Bachchan, going through a difficult and uncertain phase in his career at the time, chose not to take on any new projects. Rajiv admitted he was heartbroken by the unexpected rejection, especially since he had been certain of a positive response.The filmmaker further admitted he was deeply disappointed when Amitabh Bachchan turned down his film. While he wasn’t upset with the actor, he felt let down by fate after investing so much effort into the project. Determined to move forward, he decided to cast someone new and went on to make Mohra with Suniel Shetty—a film that, like Gupt, went on to become a major box office success.
