20 Years of Main Hoon Na: Amrita Rao was not the first choice; Farah Khan revealed how Ayesha Takia ditched her: “She said she’s going for a three-day shoot for Socha Na Tha; we kept waiting and waiting”

Main Hoon Na (2004), starring Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Zayed Khan and Amrita Rao, completed 20 years on April 30. Directed by Farah Khan, the casting of the film was spot-on. Shah Rukh Khan handled the lead role with perfection, as expected. Zayed was lovely 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 difficult to imagine anyone else playing Sanju. Hence, it was a surprise when Farah Khan, on Rajeev Masand’s audio show ‘Picture Ke Peeche’, revealed that Ayesha Takia was the original choice.

Farah said, “For the role of Sanju, we signed Ayesha Takia. I loved her test. She had acted fabulously. She told us ‘I am just going for a three-day shoot for Imtiaz Ali’s movie (Socha Na Tha; 2005) to Manali. I’ll be back in a week, after which we’ll do costume trials’.”

She continued, “We kept waiting and waiting. Those three days got extended to one month (laughs)! She didn’t come back. We were like, ‘We have to shoot in 10 days’! This is when we got Amrita Rao.”

Farah Khan then stated, “I saw her in a commercial. I wasn’t overwhelmed by her audition but when I saw through the camera, there was something about her. She has a very fragile face. I was looking at a feistier girl. This one was very pretty.” Nevertheless, the actress proved her worth, “She would nail it with every take while others would f**k 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 before Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000). But after his debut film, he became an overnight star, and it was not possible to cast him. Farah then mentioned the names who were considered for Lucky before Zayed was locked, “I did think about Farhan Akhtar. But he was a full-on director at that time. Then, I spoke with Sohail Khan and Abhishek Bachchan.”

When Rajeev Masand asked whether Randeep Hooda also was shortlisted, Farah replied, “Randeep, I guess, auditioned for the role of Rakhi Sawant’s boyfriend!”

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 filmed Mera Naam Joker: “We got the location for free. We installed a water heater in the dormitory”