Not Amrita Rao, THIS actress was the first choice for Sanjana Bakshi in Main Hoon Na, her name is.., she rejected due to…

In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood, destiny often plays a very big role in a celebrity’s career. Sometimes, what one role an actor rejects becomes another actor’s ticket to stardom. One such similar situation happened with Farah Khan’s cult classic Main Hoon Na, where Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Zayed Khan, and Amrita Rao created magic on screen. But what many might not know is that before Amrita Rao, it was another actress who was chosen for the role of Sanjana Bakshi.

When Farah Khan chose Ayega Takia for Main Hoon Na

Speaking on her YouTube vlog, Farah Khan recalled how she had initially planned to cast Ayesha Takia as Sanjana. The director said that she had already visualised Ayesha in the role and even discussed the part with her. However, just two weeks before the shoot, Ayesha informed her that she was busy completing another project with Imtiaz Ali and couldn’t wrap up in time.

How Gauri Khan suggested Amrita’s name

Farah further shared that it was Gauri Khan, Shah Rukh’s wife and the film’s producer, who suggested Amrita Rao for the role. Although Farah Khan wasn’t initially sure if Amrita would be able to play the part and pull off Sanjana’s tomboy-to-diva transformation but as soon as Amrita came in front of the camera, her thoughts changed. Farah said, “She completely changed in front of the camera and delivered her lines beautifully. I was amazed, it was like seeing two different people.”

Farah compared Amrita’s camera presence to that of the legendary Sridevi, saying, “Sridevi also had this quality; the way she transformed once the camera started rolling was magical.”

A film that defined pop culture

Released in 2004, Main Hoon Na became a massive hit, from its music to its dialogues and stylish outfits; it’s still a part of the pop culture.