The film, directed by Kabir Khan but conceived by veteran screenwriter Vijayendra Prasad, holds immense significance not only for Khan’s career but also for Prasad’s journey as a storyteller. Recently, Prasad revealed the interesting narrative behind how “Bhajrangi Bhaijaan” reached Kabir Khan’s hands.
Narrating the script to his son, filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli, Prasad witnessed a unique reaction. “While I was narrating the script,” he recounted, “he (Rajamouli) had become teary-eyed.” This emotional response from his son, known for directing epic historical dramas like “Baahubali,” presented Prasad with a dilemma.
“I had asked him if I should keep the story for him or whether I should give it away, and he told me to give it to someone else,” Prasad explained. This unexpected turn of events led the script to land on Kabir Khan’s desk, eventually resulting in the creation of “Bhajrangi Bhaijaan.”
However, Prasad revealed a layer of regret intertwined with the film’s success. “Later when Bajrangi Bhaijaan was released,” he shared, “he (Rajamouli) came to me and said, ‘You asked me at the wrong moment. I was utterly tensed about shooting for the climax of Baahubali so I said no, in haste. If you had asked me just 10 days earlier or 10 days later, I would have said Yes’.”
Despite the missed opportunity, both the screenwriter and the audience remain optimistic about the future of the “Bhajrangi Bhaijaan” universe. Currently, Vijayendra Prasad is penning the sequel himself, promising an eight-year leap from the first film and aiming to recreate the same magic that captivated audiences a decade ago.
