While Bollywood has produced many great films, only a few boast of strong stories, unforgettable dialogues, and songs cherished for generations. In the 1970s, as Amitabh Bachchan delivered one blockbuster after another, many believed that only Vinod Khanna could rival him. Audiences loved their on-screen pairing, and the duo worked together in about nine films, most of which were hits. At one point, their collaboration almost guaranteed a film’s success. But did you know that Vinod Khanna once turned down a film despite liking its story? There were many theories about why Vinod Khanna refused to work in the movie. According to a few reports, Amitabh Bachchan was one of the reasons why actor said no and lost a big hit from his hand. Eventually, Shashi Kapoor took on the role, and the film went on to become a Bollywood hit. The film was Namak Halaal, directed by Prakash Mehra. Vinod Khanna Was the First Choice Vinod Khanna was the makers’ original choice for the film. In films featuring both Vinod Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, they were often seen as competitors. Namak Halaal, released in 1982, was a blockbuster. However, Vinod Khanna turned down the role, paving the way for Shashi Kapoor to step in. This marked the first time Khanna had rejected a film starring Amitabh Bachchan. Before Namak Halaal, he and Amitabh had worked together in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), which became the highest-grossing film of that year. Prakash Mehra hoped to recreate the same magic, but Vinod declined, leading to Shashi Kapoor’s casting. Why Did Vinod Khanna Say No to Namak Halaal? Different reports suggest different reasons for his refusal. Some claim Vinod Khanna was tired of playing second fiddle to Amitabh Bachchan and wanted to move away from supporting roles. Others say he was planning to leave Bollywood to join Osho’s ashram around that time. Another theory suggests that his packed schedule prevented him from taking on the film. Box Office Success Released in cinemas on April 30, 1982, Namak Halaal received a positive response. It became the third highest-grossing film of the year, following Prem Rog and Vidhaata, earning around Rs 12 crore in India.