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Farhan Akhtar Reveals Aamir Khan’s Eight-Month Decision and Saif Ali Khan’s Near Exit From Dil Chahta Hai

Akhtar says persistence through casting turmoil shaped his debut’s path to a landmark.

Overview

  • In a new interview, Farhan Akhtar says Aamir Khan took eight months to commit to Dil Chahta Hai after hearing a revised script with Hindi dialogues.
  • Akhtar recounts reading the entire script to Aamir through the actor’s video doorbell in a bid to secure his decision.
  • Ten days before filming, Saif Ali Khan called to quit for a love-triangle project until an emergency meeting persuaded him to stay.
  • Akhtar says Aamir warned Saif he would be making the biggest mistake of his career by leaving and even offered to take Saif’s role if needed.
  • The director adds that Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan declined early approaches, the script began in English, and the eventual 2001 film became a cult favorite that won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.