Did you know that THIS actor defeated Akshay Kumar in a film? Find his name inside.
Published: August 28, 2025 1:36 PM IST
In the glamorous world of Bollywood, stardom can be unpredictable. Some actors shine brightly for a period, becoming the talk of the town, but slowly fade into the background with time. The industry has seen many such names who were once considered strong contenders against big stars but later slipped into obscurity. One such actor is Deepak Tijori, who, during the 90s, stood shoulder to shoulder with stars like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, yet today remains largely forgotten.
In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood, many actors come and go. While some come for a brief time and fade away quickly, others become a sensation and rule for years. But among the many people who have come and gone. One such similar case was of a Bollywood star who was once a big name in Bollywood and later slipped into obscurity. This actor became a known face in the 90s and stood shoulder to shoulder with stars like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, yet today remains largely forgotten.
Who is Deepak Tijori?
The actor that we are talking about is none other than Deepak Tijori. He made his Bollywood debut in the year 1988 with the film Tera Naam Mera. After one year of its release, Deepak also auditioned for the film Maine Pyar Kiya in 1989. As per reports, Deepka was among the top two shortlisted candidates; however, it was Salman Khan’s charm that deeply resonated with everyone, especially the female audience. Eventually, this role became a career-defining moment for Salman Khan and further gave him stardom.
Deepak Tijori Work and More
But Tijori did not give up. In 1992, he bagged a strong role in Mansoor Khan’s Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, opposite Aamir Khan. He portrayed the role of Shekhar Malhotra, the arrogant college sportsman. This role gave Deepak major love and appreciation. This role was initially offered to Milind Soman, who even started shooting but quit midway. However, for Depaak, this role won him a lot of praise for his performance.
Competing with Big Names
In Deepak’s career, he was in direct competition with top stars. He even auditioned for multiple big projects, sometimes losing out to contemporaries but occasionally snatching roles from them. As per reports, Akshay Kumar also auditioned for the role of Deepak that he played in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, but he was rejected, and Deepak was chosen.
In the 1990s, he starred in many superhit films like Khiladi, Aashiqui, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, and Ghulam. However, his popularity could not be sustained at the same level for long. Eventually, he shifted towards direction and was last seen in a film called Tipsy in 2024, where he also directed himself. Though active, his star power never regained the peak of the 90s.
Story Highlights:
- Deepak Tijori made his debut with the film Tera Naam Mera.
- Deepak Tijori was chosen over Akshay Kumar in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.
- Deepak Tijori was among the two shortlisted actors in Maine Pyar Kiya.
- Deepak Tijori made a directional shift after acting.
