Tuesday Trivia: Not Preity Zinta But Kareena Kapoor Was First Choice In Bobby Deol Led 'Soldier'

25 Years of Soldier: Bobby Deol wished to have Preity on board but producer Ramesh Taurani was hesitant to cast two inexperienced actors in the film.

Kareena Kapoor Khan was originally considered for the role in 'Soldier'.

Source : Prime Video

New Delhi: There were several films released in the late 90s that are still remembered fondly today. The Bollywood film starring Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta, 'Soldier', is one such film that is still widely regarded.  The extraordinary film completed 25 years of its release today. Do you know that while Preity's innocent and effervescent appearance in the film was immensely adored by the public, she was not the first choice for 'Soldier'?

Preity Zinta made her acting debut in 1998 in Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se', and she went on to star alongside Bobby Deol in the main role of Soldier in the following months. In an interview, however, producer Ramesh Taurani said that Kareena Kapoor Khan, not her, had originally been considered for the role. Even though she is very beautiful, the producer informed Bollywood Hungama that she was not their first choice. 

Ramesh Taurani was cited as stating, "I met Babita Kapoor and expressed my wish to sign her daughter, Kareena when she was 16 years old. But she turned down the opportunity, saying, ‘Kareena bahut chhoti hai (Kareena is too young)’."

He went on to explain his efforts to convince her, noting that this is a significant endeavour with notable people involved. Babita, however, was adamant and eager for Kareena to finish school first. Actress Karisma Kapoor, Kareena's older sister, was then proposed for the role, but the two were unable to come to terms over her fees.

Bobby Deol, on the other hand, wished to have Preity on board but Taurani was hesitant to cast two inexperienced actors in the same film. Directors Abbas-Mustan agreed to meet Preeti once. They were both thrilled to see her and reported their excitement to Ramesh, saying, "Issi ladki ko film mein lete hai" (Let's bring this girl on board for the film).

That's how Preity got on board for ‘Soldier’.