In Bollywood, one decision can completely change an actor's career. While some stars strike gold by choosing the right script, others miss out on career-defining opportunities. A similar story is associated with actor Arbaaz Khan, who once turned down a film that eventually made Akshay Kumar the iconic "Khiladi" of Bollywood.

As Arbaaz Khan celebrates his 58th birthday, an old revelation about his career has once again come into the spotlight.

Arbaaz Khan Was the First Choice for 'Khiladi'

Before Akshay Kumar was cast in the 1992 suspense thriller Khiladi, the lead role was reportedly offered to Arbaaz Khan by director duo Abbas-Mustan.

However, Arbaaz declined the offer because he had already committed to another film titled Footpath. Unfortunately, that project never took off, and he eventually missed the opportunity to star in Khiladi.

The film went on to become a blockbuster and transformed Akshay Kumar into one of Bollywood's leading action stars. It also earned him the nickname "Khiladi," a title that has remained synonymous with his career ever since.

Arbaaz Revealed Why He Turned Down the Film

In an earlier interview, Arbaaz Khan recalled that he had initially accepted the offer and had even received a signing amount of ₹1 lakh.

However, due to scheduling commitments and his prior agreement with Footpath, he was unable to take up Khiladi.

What seemed like a routine career decision at the time eventually became one of Bollywood's biggest "what if" moments.

Debut Came Four Years Later

Although Khiladi was released in 1992, Arbaaz Khan eventually made his acting debut in 1996 with Daraar, directed by Abbas-Mustan.

In the film, he played the antagonist opposite Juhi Chawla and Rishi Kapoor, earning appreciation for his performance.

Abbas-Mustan Kept Their Promise

Arbaaz has shared that despite missing out on Khiladi, Abbas-Mustan did not forget him.

After directing successful films like Baazigar, the filmmaker duo approached him for Daraar, believing he was the right choice for the role. The opportunity eventually marked the beginning of his acting journey in Bollywood.

A Career That Took a Different Path

While Arbaaz Khan went on to establish himself as an actor, producer, and filmmaker, Khiladi proved to be the breakthrough that changed the course of Akshay Kumar's career.

Looking back, Arbaaz's decision remains one of those fascinating moments in Bollywood history where a single missed opportunity helped shape the careers of two different actors in completely different ways.