Amitabh Bachchan has been replaced by Naseeruddin Shah in the movie, Maharathi based on a super hit Gujarati play starring Paresh Rawal.

Amitabh declined the role as it had shades of grey. ” Amitji explained his point of view in detail to me. And I agreed with him. So my dear friend Naseer, who was supposed to do another role in the screen adaptation, stepped into the role., said Paresh Rawal.

Amitabh Bachchan had earlier refused a role in Jagmohan Mundhra’s ‘Shoot On Sight’ and was replaced by Naseeruddin Shah himself.

He had opted out of “Shoot On Sight“, based on the July 2007 London bombings, because he found it too controversial for his liking. In the film, Naseer finally played the role of Tariq Ali, a Muslim police officer at Scotland Yard, who is asked to track down suspected suicide bombers involved in the London bombings

As for Maharathi, it not only changed actors but also directors. Vikram Bhatt was to direct it, but he was replaced by Shivum Nair.

Though Paresh Rawal directed the play he did not want to direct the movie as he could not shake off his theatrical sensibilities.

“I’ve often been asked why I haven’t directed the film myself. The truth is the play is still fresh in my mind. But I didn’t want the grammar of the stage to be applied to the film version. Then what is the point doing a film? My mind is filled with the play. I couldn’t have detached myself from the stage. “I needed a fresh cinematic vision to improve on the play. After doing plays for 21 years, I can’t remove theatre from my sensibility,” said Paresh.

Paresh Rawal wishes to repeat the success of the play. He said, “We used to have audiences coming repeatedly for the play although the suspense was out during the first performance. We had to revive it thrice on public demand. I hope to see the same success for the film.”