- Saturday, April 19, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Bobby Deol has opened up about a long-standing disappointment in his career — being removed from the hit 2007 romantic drama Jab We Met, despite playing a major role in bringing the film together. In a recent interview with Instant Bollywood, the actor revealed he was “really upset” at being unceremoniously dropped from the project, which ultimately went on to star Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan in career-defining roles.
Bobby shared that he was among the first to recognise the potential of director Imtiaz Ali after watching a rush print of Socha Na Tha, which starred his cousin Abhay Deol. He approached Imtiaz with enthusiasm and urged him to write a script for him. That script would eventually evolve into Jab We Met, one of Bollywood’s most beloved romantic films.
“I tried really hard to make that film happen,” Bobby said, explaining that he was actively involved in its early development. He recalled reaching out to producers, specifically Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision, who were open to working with him but hesitant to invest in Imtiaz Ali, who was still a relatively new name in the industry at the time. Bobby said he advocated for Imtiaz, convincing the production house to trust the director’s vision.
His involvement didn’t stop there. Bobby also reached out to Kareena Kapoor Khan to offer her the lead role. Initially, she declined the offer. Actress Preity Zinta was then approached for the project, but she too turned it down, saying she might reconsider later. Eventually, Kareena changed her mind and agreed to take on the role.
However, despite Bobby’s foundational role in developing Jab We Met, he was ultimately cast aside. The lead male role was offered to Shahid Kapoor, who paired with Kareena to create one of Bollywood’s most iconic on-screen couples. “It can be tough in the industry,” Bobby said. “I was really upset about it at the time.”
Despite the disappointment, Bobby insisted he harbours no bitterness toward Imtiaz Ali. “He had to make a decision that he thought was best for the film,” the actor said, showing maturity and understanding of the industry’s unpredictable nature.
The revelation has resurfaced just as buzz is building around the possibility of a Jab We Met sequel. While nothing has been officially confirmed, Bobby Deol’s candid comments have sparked interest in whether the actor could get a chance at redemption with a role in the follow-up film.
As Bobby enjoys a career resurgence thanks to his recent acclaimed performances, fans are left wondering whether Jab We Met 2 might finally offer the star a full-circle moment.
