Every Bollywood enthusiast is undoubtedly familiar with the song Deewangi Deewangi from Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster film Om Shanti Om. This song has remained a fan favorite due to its star-studded appearances, featuring 31 Bollywood celebrities, including Dharmendra, Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Priyanka Chopra, among others.
The Star-Studded Cameos
The song is celebrated for the cameo appearances of numerous Bollywood stars. Notable appearances include Dharmendra, Salman Khan, Dino Morea, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Sanjay Dutt, Lara Dutta, Shilpa Shetty, Priyanka Chopra, Kajol, Juhi Chawla, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Rekha, Shabana Azmi, and Tabu. This extensive list of stars contributed to the song’s grand appeal and popularity.
Missing Legends: Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, and Saira Bano
Despite the impressive lineup, a few iconic stars were absent. In an interview shared on IFTDA Official’s YouTube channel, Farah Khan revealed why Amitabh Bachchan couldn’t join the shoot. She explained that Bachchan was occupied with his son Abhishek Bachchan’s wedding to Aishwarya Rai during that week. Farah joked, “The industry was not called to the wedding, so they all came for the shoot. So that’s good.”
Farah also shared her disappointment about the absence of Dilip Kumar and Saira Bano. Shah Rukh Khan had promised to personally bring them to the set, but it never materialized. Farah humorously noted, “It’s been 12 years, and I am still waiting for Shah Rukh Khan to bring them on set.”
Other Notable Absences
Other notable absences included Hema Malini, who was out of town, Dev Anand, who declined due to his principle of playing only lead roles, and Aamir Khan, who also refused to participate. Farah Khan revealed in an interview with Film Companion that she had invited Dev Anand, but he declined, stating he always played lead roles. Aamir Khan, too, was approached but chose not to appear.
The Generous Gesture by Shah Rukh Khan
In the same interview, Farah Khan disclosed that Shah Rukh Khan generously gifted Rs 1 lakh worth goodie bags to all actors who participated in the shoot. Additionally, the female actors got to keep the costumes designed by Manish Malhotra that they wore for the song.
Om Shanti Om: A Bollywood Milestone
Om Shanti Om, which hit theaters in 2007, marked Deepika Padukone’s Bollywood debut and featured an ensemble cast, including Arjun Rampal, Shreyas Talpade, and Kirron Kher. The film, directed by Farah Khan, became a massive hit and is remembered for its nostalgic references and the memorable song Deewangi Deewangi.