SCOOP: As per Khiladi’s original ending, Deepak Tijori’s character was supposed to die; the climax was changed on Akshay Kumar’s insistence

June 5, the action entertainer Khiladi completed 30 years. The film was loved for its fresh storyline, music, performances and the chemistry between actors. While Akshay Kumar and Ayesha Jhulka’s pairing was much appreciated, viewers also enjoyed the banter between Akshay and Deepak Tijori. A lot of viewers were heartbroken when Deepak Tijori’s character Bonnie gets brutally injured by the baddies.

It seemed in the film, that Tijori’s character would die. But thankfully, Bonnie is shown to have survived in the last scene of the film. However, many viewers in these 3 decades have wondered why the build-up was done in such a way to give an impression that Bonnie’s character is about to pass away, especially when the idea was to show that he doesn’t die after all?

Bollywood Hungama has stumbled upon an interesting trivia in this regard. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “As per the original script, Deepak Tijori’s character was supposed to die in the pre-climax. That’s why the said scene was designed in that manner. Bonnie is mercilessly beaten up by the goons. Raj (Akshay Kumar) and his brother, Inspector Suresh (Shakti Kapoor) rescue him. He tries telling them the name of the killer but is unable to. Bonnie then dies in Raj’s arms. This was the original ending.”

The source continued, “However, Akshay Kumar feared that Deepak Tijori would steal the thunder from him if his character dies as the public sympathy would lie with the latter. Hence, on his insistence, director duo Abbas-Mustan and producer Ratan Jain decided to make a change in the film. The death shot was removed. It was replaced by the shot of Inspector Rush insisting that Bonnie be taken to the hospital. A scene was added at the end that showed Bonnie recuperating while Suresh, Anna (Johny Lever), Neelam (Ayesha Jhulka) and others surround him in the hospital room.”

Interestingly, actor Annu Kapoor spoke about this trivia on his popular radio show a few years ago.

Also Read: 30 Years Of Khiladi EXCLUSIVE: “There was so much dance that our legs and hamstrings were breaking. Akshay Kumar was into physical fitness while I was a little easy with my life. Hence, it was worse for me” – Deepak Tijori