In a candid revelation, filmmaker Mansoor Khan has opened up about the behind-the-scenes turmoil during the making of the 1992 cult classic Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, disclosing that Milind Soman was removed from the film and replaced by Deepak Tijori after lead actor Aamir Khan urged him to “throw these guys out.”
A Casting Crisis That Nearly Derailed the Film
Speaking to SCREEN, Mansoor Khan admitted that the film was on the verge of collapse due to poor casting decisions. Nearly 60–70% of the film had to be reshot, as the original cast—though unnamed—was described as “absolutely unprofessional,” making life “miserable” for the entire crew.
“I was in a really dark place then, depressed, on the verge of a breakdown,” Khan shared. “Aamir said, ‘Throw these guys out. We’ll make a good film.’ That changed everything”.
Milind Soman Out, Deepak Tijori In
Milind Soman was initially cast in a key role but was later replaced by Deepak Tijori, who had also auditioned for the same part. Khan admitted that Soman was chosen based on his looks and physique, a decision he later regretted. “They didn’t understand filmmaking or humility,” he said, adding that some of the ousted actors even tried to return once the film gained momentum.
Life Imitates Art
Ironically, the film’s central theme of resilience mirrored its own production journey. Despite the setbacks, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar emerged as a coming-of-age sports drama classic, starring Aamir Khan, Ayesha Jhulka, Deepak Tijori, Mamik Singh, and Pooja Bedi. Its iconic soundtrack by Jatin–Lalit and themes of ambition and redemption continue to resonate with audiences.
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