In a heartfelt and honest interview with SCREEN, filmmaker Mansoor Khan opened up about the emotional and difficult journey behind the making of his 1992 classic, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.
A Troubled Start
Known for his hit debut Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Mansoor reunited with cousin Aamir Khan for his second film. But things didn’t go as planned. The movie almost never got completed—thanks to poor casting choices that caused major disruptions.
“I rejected the right actors and cast the wrong ones,” Mansoor confessed. He revealed that around 60–70% of the film had to be reshot because of these decisions. Shooting had already taken place for over 40 days in locations like Ooty, Coonoor, and Mumbai, including several songs, before they realized the film wasn’t working.
Unprofessional Behaviour on Set
Without naming anyone directly, Mansoor said the original cast was “absolutely unprofessional”. “They made life miserable for me and the crew. The film was turning out really badly. I felt like giving up,” he shared.
Among the early cast members was model-actor Milind Soman, who was later replaced by Deepak Tijori. According to Mansoor, the original actors didn’t respect the filmmaking process or understand that the movie was bigger than any individual.
Aamir Khan Steps In
Just like the movie’s storyline of rising after a fall, Mansoor’s real-life struggles found hope when Aamir Khan offered support. “I was in a really dark place, mentally drained, crying at night,” he said. “Aamir told me, ‘Throw these guys out. We’ll make a good film.’”
That decision changed everything. The crew removed the problematic actors and stayed focused. “They later went to the press and said nasty things about me and Aamir. But we didn’t respond. We had a film to finish,” Mansoor added.
Final Cast and Lasting Legacy
The film finally came together with a talented cast—Aamir Khan, Ayesha Jhulka, Deepak Tijori, Mamik Singh, and Pooja Bedi. With a powerful story of rivalry, resilience, and victory, paired with a timeless soundtrack by Jatin–Lalit, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar became a cult favourite.
Today, the film remains one of the most loved coming-of-age dramas in Indian cinema. Mansoor’s honesty reminds us that even great films are built on trials, tough calls, and the courage to start over.
