## Summary of Content from the Times of India Article The article reveals that veteran comedian Mehmood was originally the first choice for a role in the classic 1973 Bollywood film *Abhimaan*, not Asrani, who ultimately played the part[1]. Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, having previously worked with Mehmood and admiring his craft, believed Mehmood could bring a light comic touch to the otherwise serious narrative of the film[1]. However, the collaboration did not materialize. According to Hanif Zaveri, who spoke with Vickey Lalwan, Jaya Bachchan (who starred in the film opposite her husband Amitabh Bachchan) reportedly rejected the idea of casting Mehmood. The article suggests that either due to Jaya's or Amitabh's intervention, the role went to Asrani instead[1]. The piece also notes that by the time *Abhimaan* was being cast, Mehmood's relationship with Amitabh Bachchan—whom he had once mentored and supported during his early career—had already started to deteriorate[1]. This personal rift, coupled with professional disagreements, led to Mehmood missing out on the film, despite being the initial choice[1].
Citations
1.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/not-asrani-but-mehmood-was-the-first-choice-for-abhimaan-but-his-bond-with-amitabh-bachchan-had-started-to-wither/articleshow/124756275.cms
2.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mehmood-birth-anniversary-amitabh-bachchan-fallout-7541138/lite/
3.https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/when-mehmood-gave-amitabh-bachchan-his-first-lead-role-became-big-b-godfather-article-111954334
4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkV0pKq4T-Q
5.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069671/trivia/?item=tr5481886
6.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069671/news/
7.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amitabh_Bachchan
8.https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/amitabh-bachchans-tuesday-memoir-abhimaan-172137-2013-07-29
9.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh5tR4P-ghE
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Citations
1.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/not-asrani-but-mehmood-was-the-first-choice-for-abhimaan-but-his-bond-with-amitabh-bachchan-had-started-to-wither/articleshow/124756275.cms
2.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mehmood-birth-anniversary-amitabh-bachchan-fallout-7541138/lite/
3.https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/when-mehmood-gave-amitabh-bachchan-his-first-lead-role-became-big-b-godfather-article-111954334
4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkV0pKq4T-Q
5.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069671/trivia/?item=tr5481886
6.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069671/news/
7.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amitabh_Bachchan
8.https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/amitabh-bachchans-tuesday-memoir-abhimaan-172137-2013-07-29
9.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh5tR4P-ghE
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