This is an archive article published on November 18, 2024
Rakesh Roshan reveals Salman Khan was not the first choice for Karan Arjun, Shah Rukh Khan quit the film: ‘SRK didn’t believe in the story but…’
In an exclusive interview, Rakesh Roshan revealed that after Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan walked out from Karan Arjun, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan were brought on board.
Thirty years after its initial release, director Rakesh Roshan is bringing back the 1995 film Karan Arjun to the big screen. Ahead of the film’s worldwide re-release, Rakesh Roshan termed it a ‘social experiment’ to determine whether the audience has changed. With Karan Arjun’s re-release, Rakesh says he wants to see if the story stirs the same emotions. In this exclusive interview with SCREEN, the director and producer also reveals how the film was a first in many ways, and shared that Shah Rukh Khan had initially backed out from the film and was replaced by Aamir Khan. After Ajay Devgn left the film, Salman Khan was brought on board. This was also the first film where Hrithik Roshan was an assistant director.
In an exclusive conversation, Rakesh Roshan shared that no one other than him and his dialogue writer believed in the project. “When I announced the film, two of my distributors backed out because the film was starring two romantic heroes. They had not done action before this. Nobody believed in this film when I was making it, they all believed in me, and when it was released it was the audience who lapped it up,” he said.
He also shared that Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan quit Karan Arjun. Rakesh Roshan shared, “While Ajay can answer as to why he backed out from Karan Arjun, Shah Rukh had left the film as he wanted to play the role that Ajay was playing and vice versa. They wanted to change their respective images. But I said I was not making this film to change their images, it’s a story that required them to be what they were.”
He added, “They both left the film, then I took Aamir Khan and Salman Khan in it. Later, SRK came back and said he wanted to work with me because I was the first person to sign him as an actor in King Uncle. He said, ’I couldn’t sleep at night, and even though I don’t believe in the story, I will still work with you. I have full conviction.’ Then I told Aamir that I had SRK’s dates from the next month so let me start with him, and Aamir agreed.”
With Salman and Shah Rukh Khan being finalized, Rakesh Roshan had inquired about Kajol from SRK, and the actor called Kajol very comfortable and talented, the director recalled. He said, “Shah Rukh had recommended Kajol, I had asked how was it to work with her, and SRK praised her a lot after which I signed her.”
Talking about the camaraderie they all shared on the set, especially Shah Rukh and Salman, Rakesh Roshan added, “30 years back they had just come and were quite new, those days we didn’t have vanity vans, there was a common hairdresser and makeup artiste. We all would sit together, and have lunch together. We would hang out during the outdoor schedule and work as a family.”
When asked if it would be possible to cast superstars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in a full-fledged film today, Rakesh affirmed that it can happen. He said, “It is possible if the script is very balanced for two heroes because I was an actor I knew how they feel. When I made Karan Arjun both the characters had equal weightage, so if there is a script like this the two actors would work together.”
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Karan Arjun was earlier called Kainaat, but later it was named differently as they all felt that the initial title wouldn’t relate to the audience. With so many memories and a great journey, the film is once again releasing in theaters on 22nd November.
Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.
Experience & Career
Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:
The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.
Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:
Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.
OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.
Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.
Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.
Authoritativeness & Trust
With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More
Rakesh Roshan on Shah Rukh Khan quitting Karan Arjun, Salman Khan replacing Ajay Devgn (Photos: Rakesh Roshan / Instagram, YouTube Screengrab)