We stumbled upon an old interview of Karan Johar, wherein he talked about the entire process of casting Salman Khan in the role of 'Aman' in his film, 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.
Bollywood Superstar, Salman Khan is still one of the most eligible bachelors in the industry, even at the age of 50. He has swooned millions of hearts with his acting skills in the films. Moreover, it is his 'Dabangg' style that never misses a chance to swoon his fans. However, Salman is one such actor who knows how to maintain friendships with his known ones in the film industry. The same example was found when he finally agreed to play the role of 'Aman' in the film, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
A Reddit user shared an old interview of Karan Johar with Dekho, in which he talked about how he convinced Salman Khan to play the role of 'Aman' in the film, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. In the video, Karan was heard sharing that he once went to his friend, Alvira Khan's home, and Salman was also visiting her at that time. By that time, Karan was also setting his foot firmly on the directorial side. So, during a conversation with Salman over there, he had casually asked Karan, "Kaun hai tumhare picture mein?"
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To this, Karan mentioned having Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as the lead of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, along with a special appearance for which he was searching for someone. Karan further added, "I really didn't think Salman would ever do it. So I just tell him like that as an information." But to his astonishment, Salman revealed his wish to do that part. Elaborating the same, Karan shared:
"Toh he said, 'Kitne din ka kaam hai?' I said, '12-15 din ka kaam hai. Toh he said, 'Main karunga'. I said, 'Tum karoge? Really?' So he said, 'Haan, come and narate it to me'. I went to narrate to him and toh narration use sunn liya, he liked the story, so he asked for money. Big money at that time. Very very big money. Toh Maine pitaji see kaha ye. Papa said, 'It doesn't fit into the budget and all unfortunately however wonderful Salman is but we can't."
However, as Salman demanded a lump sum amount, which was not possible for Karan to afford at that time, he had to drop the idea of casting him in the film. Then, Karan stated:
"Iske baad phir I went and offered it to Saif. Saif ne kahani suni usne kaha ki 'it's a wonderful story lekin main, I don't want to take the risk'. I said, 'Pehle wo heroine ko cast karne mein problem phir yeh hero'. Usi raat ko I was very upset and my friends called me and said, 'Come to Chunky's party'."
It was then at Chunky's party that Salman asked Karan if he could get another actor to do that role. But when Karan was unable to answer, Salman told him that he would do the role and take as much money as the makers could give. Karan recalled:
"Chunky Pandey was having a party and I went. And Salman was in that party. He came up to me. He said, 'Why are you looking so low?' I said, 'No, no, nothing nothing. I'm just not feeling very well.' Toh he said, 'Sabke pass gaye tum? 3-4 hero, you went hero shopping?' I said, 'No, no'. What to say now, you know. I said, 'Yeah but it'll happen'. So he said, 'Look come and meet me again tomorrow'. So I went, so he said, 'I am doing your film. I like you. I like your father. You pay me what you want. So I said okay. I said, 'This is what I can do and I'll give you this much much more if the film does well'. Toh it worked out and he did it. And he was wonderful."
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To watch the video, click here.
Not only for the role of 'Aman' but Karan also struggled to find the best suit for 'Tina's' character in the film. Initially, the role was written for Twinkle Khanna, but after her rejection, he also approached Aishwarya Rai, Urmila Matondkar and Tabu, among others. However, all the actresses turned him down. Later, filmmaker, Aditya Chopra recommended Rani Mukerji's name to Karan, and the actress did her best in the film. In an old interview with Filmfare, Aishwarya once opened up about the same and revealed that she rejected the offer as, according to her, if she had done the film, she would have been 'lynched'. Elaborating on it, Aishwarya had said:
"I'm in a catch-22 situation, really. Though I'm a newcomer, I'm compared with all the senior actresses. If I'd done the film, it would have been tittered that, 'Look, Aishwarya Rai is back to doing what she did in her modelling days—leaving her hair straight, wearing minis, and pouting glamorously into the camera.' Ultimately, the hero goes back to the more real person. I know if I'd done Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I would have been lynched."
What do you think about Karan's revelations regarding casting Salman in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? Let us know.