Not a Better ‘Munnabhai’ than Sanjay Dutt: Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan, who was on a trip from Mumbai to Delhi in August Kranti Rajdhani Express to promote his film “Raees,” waves to fans at Mathura Railway station, in Jan. 24. (Press Trust of India)

Shah Rukh Khan, who was initially approached to play the lead role in “Munnabhai MBBS,” says he couldn’t have done it better than Sanjay Dutt. – @siliconeer #siliconeer #Bollywood @Bollywood #shahrukhkhan #SRK #MunnabhaiMBBS @IamSRK @SanjayDutt

Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra had offered “Munnabhai” to Shah Rukh Khan but he rejected it apparently due to health issues and the project eventually went to Sanjay Dutt.

The role of a lovable goon in the Rajkumar Hirani-directed movie turned out to be a turning point in Dutt’s movie career.

When asked if he regrets not doing the film, Shah Rukh said, “I think every film is written in an actor’s destiny. I don’t think I would have done it as well as Sanjay Dutt has. I think he was fantastic in the film.”

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of Bone Marrow Transplant and Birthing Center, named after his mother, at a super specialty hospital in Mumbai, March 17.

“In Indian cinema doctors are treated like gods. they are the last hope and this part is shown in the films. Today young filmmakers do a lot of research in a way to pass on some message or information about anything related to it (health and disease),” SRK said on role of cinema in creating awareness about diseases.

The 52-year-old actor, who in his over two-decade-long career has suffered several injuries, said one should go for regular health check-ups for the sake of one’s family.

“I had a knee injury during a dance sequence. I am not a surgery junkie, I have had nine or ten surgeries… I still have to take my stitches off. We all should get rid of ailments and go for regular check ups. We don’t do it but we should for our family and kids.”