In a recent revealing interview with Faye D’Souza, renowned filmmaker Farhan Akhtar dropped an intriguing piece of Bollywood history. Akhtar shared that Aamir Khan’s iconic role as Akash Malhotra in the cult classic ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ was originally offered to none other than Akshaye Khanna. In a candid conversation, Akhtar reminisced about how this casting decision unfolded and the instrumental role Akshaye Khanna played in shaping the film’s destiny.
Farhan Akhtar recounted, “I have experienced true grace from Akshaye Khanna. When I met him for ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, I initially offered him the role of Akash, which Aamir eventually played. At that point, I aimed to cast two younger actors for the remaining parts, so I approached Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan, who were both fresh faces in the industry with only one film each to their names. However, their schedules didn’t align with my project. As a result, I had to pivot and consider slightly older actors for ‘Dil Chahta Hai'”.
Akhtar elaborated on the process, saying, “After a lot of back-and-forth, I eventually showcased the script to Aamir Khan. Aamir mentioned that having portrayed several intense characters recently, he was drawn to the lighter and more laid-back persona of Akash Malhotra”. According to Farhan, it was Akshaye’s grace and understanding of the greater vision that stood out the most. “Akshaye calmly told me that he loved the film and recognized its potential. He gracefully said, ‘I will play that part.’ It’s rare to come across actors who relinquish roles so gracefully,” Akhtar remarked.
Akshaye Khanna did end up being a part of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, portraying the character Sid, another pivotal role that complemented Aamir’s Akash and Saif Ali Khan’s Sameer. The trio’s chemistry on screen became one of the film’s defining elements, contributing significantly to its status as a cultural phenomenon in Indian cinema.
Farhan Akhtar, a multifaceted talent in the Indian film industry, has created an impressive portfolio over the years.
. He is cherished for his roles as an actor, a writer, a director, and even as a singer. Apart from his acting exploits, Akhtar is celebrated for his behind-the-camera achievements. His directorial ventures, including ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Don’, and ‘Don 2’, are known for their critical acclaim and box office success, showcasing his versatility and storytelling prowess.
Fans of Farhan Akhtar have reason to rejoice as he announced his return to the big screens after his appearance in ‘Toofan’. In a recent conversation, he revealed, “I am starting a film in July as an actor and want to focus solely on that”. Beyond this announcement, the excitement builds up around his next directorial project with Excel Entertainment, the production house he co-owns with Riteish Sidhwani. Their ambitious upcoming project, ‘Don 3’, starring Ranveer Singh, is already generating considerable buzz.
Speaking of ‘Don 3’, Farhan Akhtar recently addressed the significant decision to cast Ranveer Singh as the new Don, a role previously immortalized by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Akhtar shared insights into this casting choice. He conveyed that both he and Ranveer experienced a mix of exhilaration and apprehension while stepping into shoes previously worn by such legendary actors. Farhan likened the situation to when Shah Rukh Khan succeeded Amitabh Bachchan in the role, which initially sparked a wave of skepticism but eventually resulted in critical and commercial success.
Akhtar emphasized the immense pressure that comes with inheriting a legacy role, noting, “Ranveer, much like myself when I took on the project post-Bachchan era, felt the weight of expectations. But that blend of excitement and nervousness can lead to astounding performances.”
The anticipation surrounding ‘Don 3’ continues to escalate as Ranveer Singh prepares to bring his unique interpretation to the iconic character, promising audiences a fresh yet reverence-laden portrayal.
In conclusion, Farhan Akhtar’s revelations in his discussions reflect not only the intricacies involved in casting decisions but also the collaborative spirit and understanding among actors that can make or break a film’s journey. Akshaye Khanna’s graceful decision and Aamir Khan’s portrayal contributed significantly to ‘Dil Chahta Hai’s’ enduring legacy, while Akhtar’s future projects promise further innovations and exciting narratives in Bollywood.
