Shankar’s Robo (2010), featuring Rajinikanth, became one of the most revolutionary films in Indian cinema, setting new standards with its cutting-edge VFX and storytelling. But the journey to bring this masterpiece to life was not a straightforward one, as the original plan involved Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan in the lead role.
Initially, Shankar envisioned Shahrukh Khan playing the role of a robot in the film, which was designed to be a sci-fi extravaganza with a budget of over 100 crores. The story, script, and visual effects were groundbreaking for Indian cinema at the time, drawing global attention. Shahrukh Khan himself was deeply invested in the project, even offering to produce the film. The film’s pre-production began, and the team also secured Priyanka Chopra’s dates for the female lead role. However, despite the early enthusiasm, Shahrukh Khan eventually decided to back out of the project.
In an interview, Shahrukh Khan explained the reason for his exit, sharing the behind-the-scenes details: “I worked a lot on that film. Shankar and I had many discussions. We even got Priyanka Chopra’s dates for the film. But eventually, due to some differences, I had to leave.” The core issue lay in Shankar’s film-making process. He requested two years to complete the film, but Shahrukh, who was also serving as the producer, could not commit to such an extensive timeline. Shahrukh had initially hoped to complete the film in one stretch, but Shankar’s vision of re-shoots and the evolving nature of the movie’s technological aspects made this difficult.
Despite their differences, Shahrukh Khan has only positive things to say about the film, adding, “Robo is an amazing movie, and Rajinikanth liked it very much. I don’t know if it would have turned out the way it did had I been a part of it. Shankar and I are still friends, and we left the movie without hesitation.”
While Shahrukh’s departure from Robo may have been disappointing at the time, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Rajinikanth. The film went on to become a blockbuster, cementing Rajinikanth’s status as the ultimate hero and further elevating the film’s legacy in Indian cinema. Shankar’s vision, combined with Rajinikanth’s performance, brought the world of Robo to life, making it a defining moment in the history of Indian science fiction.
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