Main Hoon Na (2004) starring Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Zayed Khan and Amrita Rao turned 20 on April 30. Directed by Farah Khan, the cast of the film was spot on. As expected, Shah Rukh Khan aced the lead role perfectly. Zayed was great as the goofy and lovable Lucky. Sushmita Sen stole the show and Amrita Rao became a household name with this flick. In fact, it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing Sanju. So it came as a surprise when Farah Khan revealed on Rajeev Masand’s audio show ‘Picture Ke Peeche’ that Ayesha Takia was the original choice.
20 years of Main Hoon Na: Amrita Rao was not the first choice; Farah Khan revealed how Ayesha Takia let her down: “She said she will do a three-day shoot for Socha Na Tha; We waited and waited”
Farah said, “We have roped in Ayesha Takia for the role of Sanju. I loved her test. She had played fabulously. She told us, “I am currently doing a three-day shoot for Imtiaz Ali’s film (Na Tha thought; 2005) to Manali. I’ll be back in a week and then we’ll do dress rehearsals.”
She continued: “We waited and waited. Those three days were extended to a month (laughs)! She didn’t come back. We said, “We have to shoot in 10 days”! That’s when we got Amrita Rao.”
Farah Khan then explained, “I saw her in a commercial. I wasn’t blown away by her audition, but when I looked through the camera there was something about her. She has a very fragile face. I looked at a livelier girl. This one was very pretty.” Still, the actress proved she was worth it: “She nailed it with every take while others messed it up.”
Farah also admitted that “Shruti Seth was also considered. She did a very good test.”
As for the role of Lucky, it is common knowledge that Hrithik Roshan was considered earlier Say I love you (2000). But after his debut film he became an overnight star and it was not possible to cast him. Farah then mentioned the names that were being considered for Lucky before Zayed was banned: “I was thinking about Farhan Akhtar. But he was a full-fledged director back then. Then I spoke to Sohail Khan and Abhishek Bachchan.”
When Rajeev Masand asked if Randeep Hooda was also shortlisted, Farah replied, “I guess Randeep auditioned for the role of Rakhi Sawant’s friend!”
Also read: 20 years of Main Hoon Na: Farah Khan shot the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer in St Paul’s Darjeeling, where Raj Kapoor had shot Mera Naam Joker: “We got the place for free. We installed a water heater in the dorm.”
Other pages: Main Hoon Na Box Office Collection, Main Hoon Na Movie Review
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