Daya Shankar Pandey, a seasoned actor known for his roles in acclaimed films like "Lagaan," "Gangaajal," and "Swades," recently shared an intriguing anecdote about his early career involving Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan. In a recent interview, Pandey revealed that Aamir Khan had him removed from the film "Akele Hum Akele Tum," a decision that initially left him feeling dejected and financially vulnerable.

Pandey recounted that he was facing a financial crisis at the time and had approached the assistant director of "Akele Hum Akele Tum" seeking any available role. He secured a 12-day stint as a junior artist, earning Rs 2000 per day. However, his association with Aamir Khan, dating back to their collaboration in the 1995 film "Baazi," inadvertently led to his dismissal.

Aamir Khan, aware of Pandey's capabilities as an actor, noticed him in the junior artist role. According to Pandey, Aamir felt he was overqualified for such a minor part. Pandey recalls Aamir Khan saying, "He is a very good actor. Don't waste him," to Mansoor Khan and the AD. This appreciation, however, resulted in an abrupt "pack-up" for Pandey.

Understandably, Pandey was distressed by this turn of events. "I thought of Aamir Khan as a villain at that time," he confessed, highlighting the difficult situation he was in, needing the daily wage to sustain himself. He admitted to trying to avoid Aamir on set, hoping to simply earn his money and leave without any complications.

Despite the initial setback, the story has a positive resolution. Aamir Khan later made amends by casting Pandey in the critically acclaimed film "Lagaan." Furthermore, he recommended Pandey for a significant role in "Ghulam," personally calling director Mahesh Bhatt and writer Anjum Rajabali to vouch for him.

Even with Aamir's backing, Pandey faced further hurdles. He revealed that Anjum and Mahesh initially rejected him for roles in "Ghulam," deeming him too thin. This led to insecurity, as he felt caught between Aamir's recommendation and the writer's reservations. Eventually, Aamir Khan managed to persuade them, securing Pandey's role in the film.

Pandey also shared insights into his experience working on "Lagaan." He recalled how the entire cast, consisting of eleven actors, was present in almost every frame, jokingly stating that they didn't allow Bhuvan (Aamir Khan's character) and Gauri (Gracy Singh's character) to have any private moments. He humorously recounted his reluctance to dance in the song "Mitwa," fearing he would be ridiculed for his dancing skills.

This incident highlights the complexities of the film industry and the unpredictable nature of an actor's journey. While Aamir Khan's intention was to ensure Pandey was given roles befitting his talent, the immediate consequence was a loss of income for the struggling actor. However, it ultimately paved the way for future collaborations and significant roles that solidified Daya Shankar Pandey's career in Bollywood.