In an old video interview that has surfaced Akshay Kumar is heard telling film critic Mayank Shekhar that he was rejected during the audition of director Mansoor Khan’s Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar(JJWS) because he was “crap”.
Speaking on the incident the JJWS director Mansoor Khan told this writer, “What Akshay has said about him being thrown out of JJWS surprised me. I am sorry I rejected him. But I am amazed at the career that he has. At the time that we screen tested him he was very very wooden. He had great physique. But that’s it.”
Mansoor feels Akshay could have chosen his words more discreetly. “The way he has spoken about being rejected is very derogatory and condescending. Akshay had even called me after being rejected saying. ‘let’s work together.’ I never said he was crap.”
Mansoor reveals that even Deepak Tijori who auditioned for the same role that Akshay did, was rejected. “Deepak tested for the role and I told him,’Deepak you are a damn good actor. But I am sorry I am going with Milind Soman for his physique.’ Akshay Kumar, I didn’t say anything to. Maybe that upset him.Eventually when JJWS became iconic he must have felt jilted. I don’t blame him.”