Imran Khan says that Ajay Devgn was the first choice for Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola

Imran Khan, who has not signed a film as an actor since 2015, shared a throwback picture from his film Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013) and added a long note about his experiences of shooting for the film.

Revealing that it was not him but Ajay Devgn who was director Vishal Bharadwaj's first choice for the role of Matru, Khan wrote, “I was never supposed to be Matru. The film was launched with Ajay Devgn attached as Matru, but he chose to withdraw before filming could commence. I was riding high off the back-to-back successes of Delhi Belly (2011) and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011), and close to wrapping the shoot of Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012) when I got the call; Vishal Bhardwaj wanted to meet me! I was thrilled. He told me about his passion project, a story he had been carrying close to his heart.”

The actor revealed that he prepared extensively for the role, but remained riddled with self-doubt throughout the filming. "It struck a chord with me, but I was hesitant; I would have to learn Haryanvi, and be ready to roll in less than three months! How on earth was I to pull this off? I was anxious and terrified through the shoot of the film. I couldn't shake the feeling that Vishal had never really wanted me for this part, that my casting was based more on the budget that my presence could afford than the director's belief in me," said Khan.

Concluding his note, Khan added that though he didn't watch the final cut of the film, he is proud of the fact that he was a part of it. "Having a surreal, absurdist tone, the film was pretty well skewered upon release... but what can I say, I'm proud as hell of this movie. It was a bold experiment, a story that absolutely needed to see the light of day, and I consider it my privilege to have been a part of the team that made it happen,” the actor said.

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola was directed by Bharadwaj and also starred Anushka Sharma and veteran actor Pankaj Kapur in the lead roles.