In a recent revelation by director Farhan Akhtar, it has come to light that Hrithik Roshan was his initial choice for the iconic role of Don, a part ultimately made legendary by Shah Rukh Khan. This surprising information surfaced during a podcast where Akhtar revisited the casting process for his popular 2006 film, Don: The Chase Begins Again.
Farhan Akhtar, known for his meticulous approach to filmmaking, shared that he initially reached out to Hrithik Roshan with the idea of remaking the classic 1978 film, Don, which originally starred Amitabh Bachchan. Akhtar was convinced that Roshan’s versatility and dynamic screen presence would bring a fresh perspective to the character. “I reached out to Hrithik and said that I was remaking Don. He said, ‘Sounds amazing’. I said, let me write it and bring it to you,” Akhtar recalled during the podcast.
As the script began to develop, Akhtar found himself envisioning Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. He explained that Khan’s unique blend of personality, wit, and sarcastic humor made him an increasingly appealing choice. “While writing it, the only person whose face kept popping into my head was that of Shah Rukh,” Akhtar said. He noted that Khan’s self-deprecating quality was a significant bonus for the part, further solidifying him as the perfect fit for the character of Don.
When Farhan explained his decision to Hrithik Roshan, the latter graciously accepted the change. Roshan reportedly stated, “Farhan, you have to make the film to the best [of your ability]. If you believe [Khan] is the better fit, [so be it].” This reaction underscored the mutual respect and professionalism between the two artists. While Hrithik is widely acknowledged for his remarkable acting skills, Akhtar’s casting instinct proved successful as Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal of Don became an iconic representation that fans continue to celebrate.
Meanwhile, in other news from the entertainment industry, the makers of NTR Jr’s highly anticipated film, tentatively titled NTRNeel, have announced that the movie is set to release on January 9 next year. The announcement was made through images from the muhurat puja, which were shared online with the caption, “The moment we all have been waiting for is here #NTRNeel.” This film marks the first collaboration between NTR Jr and KGF director Prashanth Neel, raising expectations among fans. There are also reports that Rashmika Mandanna will feature as the leading lady, adding to the excitement surrounding the project.
Reflecting on cinematic history, yesterday marked 28 years since the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s directorial debut, Khamoshi.
. Manisha Koirala, who played the lead role in the film, reminisced about her journey, revealing that she was not the first choice for the part. “Bhansali and I had become friends, and he said, ‘Manisha, I have written this script; just go through it. You are not acting in it. Kajol and Madhuri are my choices.’ It was a brilliant script for any actress. I told him, yeh dono nahi mili to main hoon. Luckily, that worked for me,” Koirala shared. She portrayed Annie Braganza, a musically inclined woman navigating the complexities of taking care of her deaf and mute parents while following her passion for music.
In the realm of sports, passionate sports fan Abhishek Bachchan was recently spotted at the Paris Olympics, fervently supporting Neeraj Chopra during the men’s javelin throw competition. A video captured by a spectator shows Bachchan waving the tricolour as Chopra competed. After Chopra secured a silver medal, Bachchan was seen congratulating him, a gesture that demonstrated the camaraderie and national pride. Other celebrities, including Vicky Kaushal, Sunny Deol, and Randeep Hooda, took to social media to extend their congratulations to Chopra, who has significantly contributed to India’s Olympic success.
Elsewhere, Aamir Khan was seen at the Supreme Court ahead of a special screening of his film Laapataa Ladies for the judges. Khan, along with his ex-wife and director of the movie Kiran Rao, attended the judicial proceedings as part of the court’s 75th-year celebrations. Khan sat in a special visitor gallery as the three-judge bench deliberated on matters concerning the promotion of women in the armed forces.
On the literary front, best-selling author Amish Tripathi is set to collaborate with Creativeland Studios Entertainment on a global epic titled Shri Radha Ramanam. This project, described as “a magical tale of Lord Krishna’s love,” is poised to be another significant addition to Tripathi’s oeuvre. Known for The Shiva Trilogy and Ram Chandra Series, Tripathi has sold over seven million copies of his works. He expressed his enthusiasm about the script, highlighting its capacity to explore various facets of love through the story of Lord Krishna. “Traditional Indian stories have a deep narrative in which you can get pleasurably lost, but they also teach you deeper lessons, so that you can live better,” Tripathi said.
