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Long before the lead actors’ best friends such as Circuit (Arshad Warsi) in Munna Bhai MBBS, Bittu (Aparshakti Khurana) in Stree and Stree 2, Kamli (Vicky Kaushal) in Sanju, and Avi (Aditya Roy Kapur) in Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani, Deepak Tijori carved out a niche for himself as Hindi cinema’s quintessential “best friend”. In Aashiqui as Balu, Khiladi as Bonny, and Sadak as Gotya, Deepak has been more than just a sidekick; he added depth and often a touch of humour and emotional resonance to the hero’s journey, making those characters his own. He stood out even when the spotlight wasn’t solely on him. Similarly, in Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar as Shekhar Malhotra and in Kabhi Haa Kabhi Na as Chris, Deepak showcased his ability to shine in diverse roles. While he excelled in supporting roles in Anjaam and Afsana Pyaar Ka, the only film where he played the hero, Pehla Nasha, received a lukewarm response. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, Pehla Nasha — despite featuring Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Saif Ali Khan in a scene together with Rahul Roy and Sudesh Berry — failed at the box office.
Deepak often questioned why he rarely got the chance to play the hero compared to many of his contemporaries. He tells Indianexpress.com, “Once, I asked this question to Bhatt saab (Mahesh Bhatt), as he would cast me in supporting but strong roles, which helped me carve that niche. He promptly said to me, ‘That’s because you are a very good friend in real life (as I was very close to his daughter Pooja Bhatt; we were BFFs then and now, thankfully), and that shows on screen, which helps you convince people in the audience.’ I thought he just wanted to shoo me off, I didn’t argue, as I was happy to achieve the success that those roles in Aashiqui, Sadak, Naajayaz, and even just a song — “Galyan Sakli Sonyachi” in Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin — gave me. So, I think if I have to blame anyone for that, it would be just me.”
Deepak Tijori, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Pooja Bhatt, Raveena Tandon and others at the screening of Pehla Nasha (Photo: Deepak Tijori)
Following his popularity after Aashiqui and Sadak, Deepak came close to playing a lead role in an emotional film titled Adhure Log, which was supposed to be helmed by Mahesh Bhatt. The film would have seen Deepak play an usher who guides the audience to their seats once they are in the auditorium. In the ‘90s, the multiplex culture wasn’t prevalent, so theatergoers had ushers guiding them to their seats with torches in their hands. Bhatt had the story about an usher in his mind for a while and saw that character in Deepak. “To my excitement, I was finally feeling the taste of playing a lead role in a film directed by my dream director, Mahesh Bhatt. I was walking two feet above the ground, as Bhatt saab also did a photo shoot with me in an empty cinema hall. Seeing those pictures, he was even more convinced that I would be the right choice, the only choice, to play that character. I can say that convincingly now, as he never replaced me with anyone else to play that role but scrapped the whole film,” Deepak laments, noting that his dream of being seen as a ‘hero’ in a film directed by Bhatt, remained incomplete as it was hard for producers to believe that someone who was loved as a supporting actor could be accepted as the lead.
‘Mukesh Bhatt didn’t believe that audiences would like to see me as a hero’
Back then, Bhatt’s brother, Mukesh Bhatt, one of the major decision-makers at Vishesh Films, denied Deepak the lead role. “He told Bhatt saab: ‘Deepak ko sabne as a supporting character pasand kiya hai, so I don’t think I can risk giving him the lead role. Agar aapko ye kahaani banaani hai, toh take a new boy but not Deepak,’” recalls Deepak, stressing that Mukesh’s statement “almost killed” him. “It shook my belief from within, as I grew up reading and believing what I had read about Amitabh Bachchan and Mithun Chakraborty, who started with smaller roles but became superstars. Sure, they didn’t have a Mukesh Bhatt in their lives to crucify their future, was my feeling then,” he rues. Interestingly, 23 years later, when Aashiqui was being remade, the makers cast Aditya Roy Kapur—who started with supporting roles — as lead.
Despite the setbacks in his youth, Deepak is not ready to give up and is hopeful that his upcoming Diwali release, Ittarr, will help change perceptions. He has managed to grab a lead role in the Veena Bakshi directorial. “So, I guess, yes, in the past, I may have blamed others as I was just learning the lessons of life. But now that I am of that age and experience, I don’t blame anyone — not even Mukesh Bhatt, as he did what was right for him back then. No hard feelings for anyone, and I am looking forward to a new innings with my new look,” clarifies Deepak, who is excited about his new innings in films.
Deepak Tijori played Chris in Kabhi Haa Kabhi Naa alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Suchitra Krishnamoorthi (Photo: Deepak Tijori)
‘Supporting actors are now being elevated to lead roles on digital platforms’
‘Supporting actors are now being elevated to lead roles on digital platforms’
Deepak, who played supporting roles in Mrityudaata and portrayed characters in Aamir Khan-starrer Ghulam and Baadshah, where he featured as an undercover CBI agent, believes that the narrative around and depiction of an actor’s friend/supporting role has evolved in the present time, with OTT bringing in a significant shift. Deepak shares, “Unlike in the past, where it was challenging to transition a supporting actor into a lead character, the advent of the OTT culture has dramatically changed the landscape. Today, supporting actors are often elevated to lead roles on digital platforms, while traditional silver screen leads continue to dominate. This shift means there is space for everyone, and the notion of a supporting actor has become more fluid. You never know which actor might emerge as a lead on a streaming platform, which is a wonderful boon. This change has allowed exceptional talents like Jaideep Ahlawat, Manoj Bajpai, and Kay Kay Menon—actors who have been outstanding for decades—to get the recognition they deserved.”
The Vaastav: The Reality actor calls the current period in the industry “a golden era for actors and technicians.” Speaking about the challenges independent filmmakers and smaller films face, he adds, “Indie producers, in particular, face a tough time navigating the release of smaller films, as the market is increasingly dominated by larger projects. As with any evolution, there are pros and cons, but the current state of the industry offers new opportunities and possibilities for many.”
Deepak Tijori plays Gotya, Sanjay Dutt’s friend, in Sadak (Photo: Deepak Tijori)
‘We never anticipated that Aashiqui would become a milestone’
Aashiqui was one of the milestones of Deepak’s career in many ways as the film helped him stay afloat in the industry. Decades later, Aashiqui 2 was made with Aditya and Shraddha Kapoor, and the makers announced Aaashiqui 3 with Kartik Aaryan. Deepak, who earlier expressed his desire to be cast in Aashiqui 2, a sequel to the 1990 hit Aashiqui, has says he didn’t envision that the original would become this successful and attain cult status over the decade. “Well, truly speaking, we never anticipated that Aashiqui would become a milestone. I’m glad it did! It brought me back into this field when I was about to give up on playing minuscule roles in insipid films. Aashiqui was a turning point, marking my continued journey in this industry. I’m now looking forward to more milestones with my new salt-and-pepper look, much like my legend Sanjeev Kumar did in his later years,” he says.
Aashiqui 2 was released in 2013, and featured Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor (Photo: T-Series)
The actor, unlike his co-star Rahul Roy, who was evidently not happy with the 2013 film, seems open to the idea of sequels and remakes. “Regarding the making of Aashiqui 2 and now Aashiqui 3, it’s always wonderful to know that a piece of your work is still considered memorable and worth remaking with new talent. It’s natural for time to bring changes, but it’s been an honour then and it feels elating to know that the legacy still continues. I hope this legacy continues until kingdom come,” he adds.
‘My bond with Rahul Roy is enduring’
Despite not working on a film together after Aashiqui, Deepak and Rahul continue to remain friends and share a great bond. “Rahul has always been close to my heart. We remain in touch regularly, and I make it a point to check in on him from time to time,” says the Tipppsy director, adding “Although we haven’t yet found a common ground for collaboration, he will always hold a special place in my life. Our bond is enduring, and I cherish the connection we share.”
Rahul Roy and Deepak Tijori, co-stars and friends, reunited on the sets a reality show (Photo: Deepak Tijori)
‘Shooting the cycling scene in Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar was torturous!’
In an earlier interview with us Deepak had spoken about the challenges of preparing for the role of Shekhar Malhotra in Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar as his role demanded him to be physically fit. Sharing one of the anecdotes from the film, Deepak revealed that the shoot location of the film required them to travel seven hours. “The hotel we stayed at was in Ooty, and our shooting location was on an even higher plateau, which meant a daily drive of 3 to 3.5 hours one way. So, back and forth, it would be a 7-hour travel just to shoot one day in the Western Catchment, a place where we could see clouds below us. The oxygen levels were really low, and even cycling for 20 meters would leave us gasping. Now, thinking back, it’s funny, but at the time, it was torturous!,” he told us before signing off.
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