In the world of Bollywood, where on-screen charisma often dictates casting choices, several top actresses have, at times, declined roles that later went on to become iconic. Among these actresses is Dimple Kapadia, who made her debut at the age of 14 with the film Bobby.

One such instance involved the 1985 film Mard, directed by Manmohan Desai, starring Amitabh Bachchan. Dimple Kapadia was initially offered a role in the film but turned it down. The role eventually went to Amrita Singh.

In an old interview, Dimple Kapadia revealed that she rejected Mard because she was already committed to the movie Pataal Bhairavi, which starred Jeetendra and Jaya Prada. She confessed that she chose Pataal Bhairavi for financial reasons, a decision she later regretted. Kapadia admitted that refusing Mard was a "stupid" decision, especially considering she accepted a role in Pataal Bhairavi solely for the money and not for its artistic merit. She also lauded Amitabh Bachchan's acting prowess, praising his impeccable timing, range, and style.

Sridevi, another prominent figure in Bollywood, also reportedly declined several roles opposite Amitabh Bachchan because she wanted equal importance and screen time. One such film was Ajooba, directed by Shashi Kapoor. Sridevi was not keen on doing the movie, because her part wasn't the way she wanted it to be. Dimple Kapadia eventually replaced her in the role. Sridevi also rejected a role in Kaamyab because she considered it an insignificant part, especially alongside Shabana Azmi.

Other notable films Sridevi turned down include Baghban, where she was offered a role opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Sridevi was planning to make a comeback at that time, but she was against the movie being her comeback film. Sridevi was also offered a role in Mohabbatein as Amitabh Bachchan's love interest, but after her rejection, the character was removed from the script. Sridevi also declined roles in Darr, Beta, Baazigar, and Lekin.

These instances underscore the various factors that influence an actor's decision-making process, ranging from scheduling conflicts and financial considerations to the desire for substantial roles and creative fulfillment.