When Irrfan Khan refused to work with Sunny Deol fearing being overshadowed: ‘Maan lo agar woh zor se chilla denge...’

Late actor Irrfan Khan continues to be remembered as one of the finest performers Indian cinema has ever seen. Known for his effortless acting and deeply layered performances, the actor left behind an unforgettable legacy across both Bollywood and international cinema. But there was once a time when even Irrfan struggled with insecurity while preparing to work alongside a massive commercial star like Sunny Deol.In a throwback interview with Bollywood Hungama, director Neerraj Pathak hadrecalled how Irrfan Khan initially refused to be part of the thriller ‘Right Yaaa Wrong’ because he feared Sunny Deol’s powerful screen presence would overshadow his role.Neerraj Pathak had shared that Sunny Deol immediately loved the script of ‘Right Yaaa Wrong’ and wanted to know who would be cast opposite him. The filmmaker revealed that he had always considered either Kay Kay Menon or Irrfan Khan for the parallel lead role. The director also mentioned that he had known Irrfan since their days working together on the Doordarshan serial ‘Anugoonj’ and had promised him years earlier that he would cast him as the lead actor in his first film.Despite liking the script, Irrfan Khan was reportedly worried about matching Sunny Deol’s larger-than-life image on screen.Recalling the actor’s concern, Neerraj Pathak had said, “He told me, ‘Bhai, you are Sunny Deol’s friend and favourite. He is such a huge actor. Maan lo agar woh zor se chilla denge toh mera role waise bhi kamzor ho jayega.’” (“Brother, you are Sunny Deol’s close friend and favourite. He is such a massive actor. Suppose he suddenly shouts loudly in a scene, then my role will automatically start looking weak in comparison.”)According to the filmmaker, Irrfan genuinely believed Sunny’s intense dialogue delivery and commanding screen presence could overpower his comparatively subtle acting style.Neerraj Pathak further revealed that Irrfan also feared the film could unintentionally become more centred around Sunny Deol because of the filmmaker’s close friendship with the actor. However, the director repeatedly reassured Irrfan that Sunny was among the most secure actors in the industry and someone who never interfered with another actor’s role or scenes. Even after those conversations, Irrfan remained unsure, leading Neerraj to briefly consider Kay Kay Menon for the role instead.Just when the filmmaker was about to move ahead with Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan reportedly called him once again and asked to hear the script one more time. Neerraj later visited the actor on the sets of ‘Krazzy 4’ and narrated the story again. This time, Irrfan was deeply impressed. The filmmaker recalled Irrfan saying, “Script toh teri faadu hai.” (“Your script is absolutely explosive and brilliant.”)However, the late actor wanted assurance that the film would remain faithful to the script and not compromise his character arc. Once Neerraj Pathak convinced him that Sunny Deol respected stories above stardom, Irrfan finally agreed to do the film.Released in 2010, ‘Right Yaaa Wrong’ earned positive reviews for its gripping narrative and performances, especially from Sunny Deol and Irrfan Khan. Critics praised the contrast between Sunny’s intense energy and Irrfan’s restrained brilliance. Despite the appreciation, the film failed commercially and reportedly collected only around Rs 4 crore during its theatrical run.The thriller later became known as “the right film with the wrong marketing,” a statement Sunny Deol himself had publicly agreed with while criticising the film’s promotional strategy.Even today, ‘Right Yaaa Wrong’ remains memorable for bringing together two completely different acting styles on screen: Sunny Deol’s explosive mass appeal and Irrfan Khan’s understated genius.