Bollywood loves to repeat hit partnerships. And so when director Vidhu Vinod Chopra began work on his ambitious love story set against the backdrop of Quit India Movement with Parinda men -- Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff, it was natural to expect Madhuri Dixit would be a part of the dream team.
Apparently the actress even did a period-theme photo shoot to convince perfectionist Chopra she has what it takes to play Rajjo.
Even so Chopra, reportedly, wasn't too thrilled by her level of enthusiasm and replaced her with Subhash Ghai discovery, Manisha Koirala (in Saudagar).
Though often likened to her much-established senior Dixit, either due to physical resemblance or the Ghai factor, Koirala's career, (post-bloopers like Dhanwan, First Love Letter, Anmol and Yalgaar) was in a desperate need of rescue.
A meaty role in a prestigious set up could be her breakthrough. And for a long time, thanks to follow-ups like Akele Hum Akele Tum, Khamoshi: The Musical, Bombay and Dil Se.., it was just that.
1942 earned Manisha critical acclaim and an edge over contemporaries like Karisma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon as a sensitive performer. Interestingly the same year, 1993, Madhuri made waves for her Choli pe peeche antics in mentor Ghai's money spinner, Khal Nayak.
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