Published By: Sayan Paul

25 Years Of 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai': It Wasn't Supposed To Be Hrithik Roshan's Debut - Know Why

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' has been re-released theatrically. 

The box office is temporary; it's the legacy that stands the test of time. 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' - more than its unprecedented box office figures that can even outshine modern hits - is still celebrated because of its legacy. Precisely, the film gave a lot to Hindi cinema and took it to the very next level. The list includes a new sub-genre, a fresh storytelling approach, some refreshing songs, and of course, the one and only Hrithik Roshan. 

Hrithik Roshan became an overnight sensation upon the release of 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai'. And needless to say, there has been no looking back for him ever since then. But do you know it wasn't supposed to be his debut? Well, no matter how surprising it sounds, it's actually true! 

 

(Credit: Rakesh Roshan)

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film (it was released on January 14, 2000), let's learn that story in this article. 

First Of All, Rakesh Roshan Wasn't Keen On Launching His Son

Yes, you read it right! Initially, Rakesh Roshan wasn't very keen on launching his son, Hrithik, as a lead actor. He never treated his son like that. 

For several of Rakesh Ji's films, Hrithik worked on sets, doing everything from sweeping the floors to serving tea to the cast members to assisting the director. But his aspiration was to become an actor. Hence, he started trying on his own. 

As the actor shared in an interview with Galatta News, "My father told me time and time again, ‘I’m not going to make a film for you, you’re on your own’. So, I was doing screen tests, I did a couple of them, I was looking for work. For my photo session, I had no money. I had promised Daboo Ratnani that I will pay him once I start to earn. All of this was going on, and suddenly, I got this offer. And all I knew was that I had to satisfy my director.”

Shah Rukh Khan Was The First Choice 

While developing the script of ''Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai', Rakesh Roshan had Shah Rukh Khan in his mind for the lead role. The two had collaborated on several blockbusters, including 'Karan Arjun', and hence it seemed very feasible at that time. If not SRK, Aamir Khan was his second choice. 

However, after a certain point, everyone in the scriptwriting process felt that this would require a fresh pair of hero and heroine. Hrithik Roshan, who was assisting his father at that time, also felt the same and requested his father to look for a new actor. And well, Rakesh Ji then realized that his son would be perfect for it. 

 

(]Credit: hrithikroshan) 

As Hrithik later shared in an interview, "... he was making a film at that time with Shah Rukh or Aamir which fell through. And he had another thought, and while he was working on the scripting of that film with all the writers — and I was a part of this process — some weeks into it, everyone started feeling that this film needs a new boy or new girl. You have seen big stars do these roles, and even I was a part of that, that noise. Even I was like, ‘Yes, papa, I don’t want to see Shah Rukh do this’. And, when this got very repetitive, he said, ‘That’s not what I had in mind, I’m taking you in the film’.”

 

(Credit: TheFansWorld) 

It's worth noting that Hrithik was getting a few offers from other filmmakers at that time. This also made Rakesh Ji wonder whether he had made a mistake by not casting his son. As the actor later said in an interview, "When he heard that I was doing screen tests, and was getting offers, maybe he sat down one day and thought, ‘What’s going on, am I losing out?’"

Upon its theatrical release, 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' collected over ₹800 million worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 2000 worldwide. And Hrithik Roshan bagged almost all the major awards that year.