Kamal Haasan claims he grabbed Dilip Kumar's hand and 'begged' him to collaborate on the Hindi remake of Thevar Magan

Kamal Haasan has always been upfront about his respect for the late Dilip Kumar and how he regards him as one of his cinematic idols. While promoting his upcoming film, Vikram, in Mumbai, Haasan confessed that one of his major professional regrets is not being able to work with the legendary actor.

Kamal wanted Dilip Kumar to star in the Hindi adaptation of his Tamil film Thevar Magan (1992). However, the latter had retired from acting and refused to accept the role. Kamal wrote and produced the original, which was directed by Bharathan. Priyadarshan remade the film in Hindi as Virasat (1997), starring Anil Kapoor and Amrish Puri as a father-son duo.

The Anbe Sivam (2003) actor said, “There's one actor whom I miss and I really wanted to work with. I really held his hand and begged him but he had decided not to act, Dilip Kumar sahab. I wanted to make Thevar Magan with him. It didn't happen so I gave it to another friend and he made it with Anil Kapoor sahab and Amrish Puri sahab.”

“I never thought I could meet Dilip Kumar sahab. He came and we shook hands at the silver jubilee of Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981),” concluded the 67-year-old actor.