Overview
- Farah Khan recounts that Ayesha Takia exited about two weeks before filming despite locations and schedules being locked in Darjeeling.
- Gauri Khan recommended Amrita Rao, who won the part after an on‑camera audition of an emotional scene.
- Farah says Rao’s screen presence transformed under the lens, drawing a comparison to Sridevi’s camera charisma.
- Costume delays forced the team to style Rao with borrowed pieces on set, reflecting the production scramble.
- Rao later revealed she couldn’t ride a bicycle, prompting Shah Rukh Khan to help stage the cycling scene, and the film went on to be a box‑office success as reports cite ₹70.40 crore worldwide on a ₹25 crore budget.