Reena Roy was not 'Naagin's first choice: Rekha, Asha Parekh said no
Synopsis
Before Reena Roy became the face of 'Naagin,' the role had already been turned down by Rekha and Asha Parekh — and even her own mother tried to talk her out of it. The actress's candid revelation reframes one of Hindi cinema's biggest blockbusters: the 1976 hit that made her a star was, by her own account, nobody else's first choice.
Key Takeaways
Reena Roy revealed on 'The Kapil Sharma Show' that she was not the original choice for the title role in 'Naagin' (1976) .
The makers had first approached Rekha and Asha Parekh , among other leading actresses, all of whom turned the role down.
Even Reena Roy's own mother opposed her taking the role, but the actress proceeded, convinced the subject was unique. 'Naagin' was directed by Rajkumar Kohli and featured a cast including Sunil Dutt , Feroz Khan , Jeetendra , and Rekha , with music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal .
The film became the highest-grossing film of 1976 and launched Reena Roy to full star status.
A Tamil remake, 'Neeya?' , followed in 1979 with Sripriya in the lead role.
Veteran actress Reena Roy once disclosed a little-known backstory behind her most iconic role — she was not the first choice for the 1976 blockbuster 'Naagin'. The revelation came during her appearance on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', where she spoke candidly about how the role came to her only after several leading actresses of the era turned it down.
How the Role Landed with Reena Roy
According to the actress, the makers of 'Naagin' had initially approached some of the biggest names in Hindi cinema at the time. 'All the heroines had rejected 'Naagin'. They went to Rekha ji, they went to Asha Parekh, all the leading ladies of the time. Then they came to me since they knew I could dance well,' Reena Roy recalled.
Even her own mother had reservations about the role. 'You are killing people. Why are you doing this role,' her mother reportedly said. Despite the family resistance, Reena Roy stood firm, convinced that the subject was different and worth pursuing.
The Film's Star-Studded Cast and Creative Lineage
Backed and directed by Rajkumar Kohli under the banner of Shankar Movies, 'Naagin' featured an extraordinary ensemble cast alongside Reena Roy in the title role — including Sunil Dutt, Feroz Khan, Jeetendra, Sanjay Khan, Rekha, Mumtaz, Vinod Mehra, Yogeeta Bali, Kabir Bedi, and Anil Dhawan. The film's memorable music was composed by the celebrated duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
The film is believed to have drawn inspiration from French director François Truffaut's 1968 film 'The Bride Wore Black', which itself was adapted from Cornell Woolrich's 1940 novel of the same name — giving 'Naagin' a layered literary and cinematic heritage.
Box Office Impact and the Fear Factor
'Naagin' became the highest-grossing film of 1976, a blockbuster success that transformed Reena Roy's career trajectory. It was only after this massive commercial triumph that she attained full star status in the Hindi film industry.
The actress also noted a curious side effect of the film's success — audiences began to fear her in real life. 'After 'Naagin,' people even started getting scared of me,' she said during the show, underscoring just how deeply the role had penetrated public imagination.
The Film's Regional Legacy
'Naagin' was later remade in Tamil as 'Neeya?', released in 1979, with actress Sripriya stepping into the lead role. The remake's existence speaks to the original film's cultural reach beyond Hindi-speaking audiences.
Decades on, Reena Roy's candid account of how she almost did not get the role adds a fresh dimension to one of Hindi cinema's most enduring classics.
Point of View
Unconventional roles — passed on 'Naagin' is itself a striking footnote. What the story really illuminates is how a film that almost did not get made, with a lead who almost did not get cast, went on to define an actress's career and set the box-office benchmark for its year. Hindi film history is littered with such near-misses, but few are as well-documented as this one.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Reena Roy not the first choice for 'Naagin'?
Reena Roy was not the original pick because the makers had first approached several top actresses of the era, including Rekha and Asha Parekh, all of whom rejected the role. The production team eventually came to Reena Roy, recognising her dancing ability as a key asset for the title character.
Who directed 'Naagin' (1976) and who were in the cast?
'Naagin' was directed by Rajkumar Kohli under the banner of Shankar Movies. The film starred Reena Roy in the title role alongside Sunil Dutt, Feroz Khan, Jeetendra, Sanjay Khan, Rekha, Mumtaz, Vinod Mehra, Yogeeta Bali, Kabir Bedi, and Anil Dhawan.
What was the box-office result of 'Naagin' (1976)?
'Naagin' was a major commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of 1976. The blockbuster performance elevated Reena Roy to star status in the Hindi film industry.
Is 'Naagin' based on another film or book?
'Naagin' is believed to have been inspired by French director François Truffaut's 1968 film 'The Bride Wore Black,' which was itself adapted from Cornell Woolrich's 1940 novel of the same name.
Was 'Naagin' remade in any other language?
Yes, 'Naagin' was remade in Tamil as 'Neeya?', released in 1979, with actress Sripriya playing the lead role.
