FILM · 1992 · INDIA
Chamatkar
21 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (21)
- #001
Chamatkar was the first film in which Shahrukh Khan worked with Indian comedian Johnny Lever.
- #002
Govinda was approached for the film but turned it down. There was no date set for it. That was when Shah Rukh Khan was signed.
- #003
Chamatkar was inspired by Ghost.
- #004
Naseeruddin had previously played Urmila's father as a child in Masoom.
- #005
Hema Malini's Dil Aashna Hai (1992) was the first film Shah Rukh Khan shot, but his official debut release was Raj Kanwar's Deewana (1992), which also starred Divya Bharti and Rishi Kapoor. Before either of those two films was released, however, Shah Rukh Khan signed on for another important film in his career, director Rajiv Mehra's Chamatkar (1992). Khan's chemistry and quirks opposite Naseeruddin Shah's ghost character Marco worked well in the film, made under master producer FC Mehra's Eagle Films banner. Yet, as the late producer's son and Rajiv's brother Umesh Mehra explained, before the film was shot nobody who saw the slight-built Khan, who celebrates his 53rd birthday today, was convinced by the casting call. Torn jeans and a slim frame led people to question the choice of Shah Rukh Khan — highlighting how the Eagle Films banner always encouraged new talent, Umesh Mehra said his father and brother saw a spark in the young actor. "Of course, I would like to appreciate my father for accepting that this boy (Shah Rukh Khan) would become a hero. Otherwise the credit would have gone to my brother Rajiv, because he was the director of the film and he felt this boy should be selected," he said. Not everyone was convinced about the casting, however, especially when they saw Khan at a party hosted by the Mehras. This was at Diwali in 1991, before the film's shooting began. Umesh Mehra recalled, "In those days we used to have big Diwali parties. He [Khan] also came. He was dubla patla [very thin]. Wearing torn jeans was the fashion then. And people [at the party] were saying, 'Is this going to be the hero of your next film? What's wrong with you?'" Torn jeans and a slim frame led people to question the choice of Shah Rukh Khan — Birthday special. But this did not discourage Rajiv Mehra or his father. Umesh Mehra said, "You see, if you keep worrying you can't make a film. When an inner feeling comes, you go ahead with it. My father always encouraged new talent unless they started crying ki humse yeh nahin hoga, woh nahin hoga [that we can't do this or that]." Shah Rukh Khan married his girlfriend Gauri before the premiere of Chamatkar. Some reports said FC Mehra pressured Khan to postpone his wedding until the film's release. Umesh Mehra, however, dismissed the claim. "In those days nobody looked at him as a big romantic hero," he pointed out. "[Asking him to postpone his marriage] was out of the question."
- #006
Chamatkar is the only film in which Urmila worked with SRK.
- #007
At the time, three Indian films were inspired by the foreign film Ghost: Chamatkar, Pyar Ka Sayaa and Maa.
- #008
Ranjit Films International had a shelved film titled "Chamatkaar" (Mardangi) (1988), starring Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Sridevi and Prem Chopra, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and directed by Harmesh Malhotra.
- #009
Deepak Malhotra was offered the film but turned it down.
- #010
Bappi Lahiri's "mere jaisi haseena ka dil" (Amaanat) and Anu Malik's "O meri neend churane wale tera" (Chamatkar) were both inspired by the same song by Dr. Hook.
- #011
Chamatkar was the first time Naseeruddin Shah worked with SRK.
- #012
Chamatkar is the only Shahrukh Khan film in which Ashutosh Gowariker played a negative role.
- #013
Deepak Malhotra was the first choice for the lead role. Shahrukh Khan was later brought in in his place.
- #014
Rajesh Khanna starred alongside Praveen Babi in a shelved 1979 film titled Chamatkar.
- #015
Ashwini Bhave was approached for the role opposite Naseeruddin.
- #016
The song "Jawani Diwani" sampled Boney M's Bahama Mama. The song Roko Mat from Masarrat and Mahendra Kapoor's album Disco Fantasy in Hindi also sampled the same song.
- #017
The music at the 1:00 mark in the song Bichoo O Bichoo was inspired by the main music of Michael Zager Band's Let's All Chant.
- #018
Bichoo O Bichoo from Chamatkaar was sampled from Little Peggy March's I Will Follow Him. The song "Kudi Marr Gai Tere Te" from Hum Farishte Nahin sounds similar.
- #019
The film's original title was "Ghost Mera Dost". Tinnu Anand also wanted to start a film with the same title in 1991.
- #020
Avinash Kharshikar made his Hindi debut with Chamatkar.
- #021
Chamatkar was not released in theaters in British Columbia, Canada.
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