Upasana Singh revealed that she was once considered for the lead role of Suman Suraj BarjatiaIts blockbuster Mayan pair Kia, a segment that went last Bhagyashree. Looking back on the missed opportunity, the actor recalls being heartbroken about why he wasn’t cast and later confronting filmmaker Raj Kumar Barjatya.
‘Sooraj Barjatia selected me’
Speaking to Galatta India, Upasana shared that she was studying in Chandigarh when she auditioned for the film. Determined to become an actress, she met producers and directors whenever she visited Mumbai.“I studied in Chandigarh then and my aunt lived in Chembur. I always said I wanted to be an actress. So, whenever I came to Mumbai, I met all these directors and producers,” she said.Upasana Rajshree recalls being introduced to Suraj Barjatia through a member of the production team. According to him, the director was impressed after a brief interaction.“He didn’t hold a proper audition, just asked me to speak 3-4 dialogues. He liked me, and told Guptaji that I was selected on his behalf,” he said.
Waiting for a call that never came
After the initial meeting Upasana is asked to meet Suraj Barjatia’s father Raj Kumar Barjatia. He did so and then returned to Chandigarh, hoping to return from the production house.“Guptaji then called me and said I was selected by Suraj ji, and then I met his father. I went back to Chandigarh, but I never got the call. Then, the film was made,” he recalls.The actor admitted that he was deeply upset after losing the role and avoided watching the film for a long time.“I didn’t go to see the film for a long time because I felt upset that I was the heroine and it was being made without me. I didn’t tell anyone that I was selected because it was humiliating,” he said.
‘Why did you reject me?’
Years later, while shooting Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon in Switzerland, Upasana finally got an answer. He recalls Raj Kumar Barjatia revealing in front of the cast and crew that he was the first choice for Mayon’s pair Kiya.“I didn’t even expect him to take my name but he did. Everyone was shocked and asked why I wasn’t cast in the end. I then got angry and told him, ‘Why did you reject me?'” she said.According to Upasana, Raj Kumar Barjatia told her that she was considered too tall in contrast Salman Khan.“He said it was because I was taller than him Salman eat I replied, ‘Even Sridevi is taller than him, but can she work with him? Don’t fool me!'” she recalls.Upasana added that Barjatia then joked, “If we had cast you, you would have left the industry like Sridevi.”
‘Bhagyashree deserved it, but I deserve more’
Reflecting on the film’s success, Upasana admits that it was painful to be left out of such a landmark project. He said he initially avoided watching the film because of his disappointment.“At that time, I felt very bad. It was a great film but I had not seen it for a long time. I felt that if I had gone to see the film, I would have abused Bhagyashree,” he said.However, the actor also acknowledged Bhagyashree’s performance in the film. “She has acted really well and deserves that role, but I deserve more than her. Salman knew about this,” Upasana added.Released in 1989, Mayone Pyaar Kiya emerged as a huge blockbuster and established Salman Khan and Bhagyashree as stars. The film also featured Reema Lagoo, Alok Nath and Mohnish Bahl in important roles.
