The actress, however, made her debut with J. P. Dutta's 2000 film, 'Refugee', co-starring Abhishek Bachchan.
Speaking about Kareena Kapoor Khan's acting prowess, filmmaker Karan Johar described, "... she has no craft, grammar, or process attached to her acting, it is a great sense of cinema that can keep her going." Rensil D'Silva, who directed Kareena in 'Kurbaan', said about the actress, "... she is instinctive and has emotional intelligence. She absorbs the situation and performs accordingly."
Well, we started the article with these two quotes because they aptly encapsulate the 'magic' called Kareena Kapoor Khan. Take any of her films, and you will realize that her greatest strength lies in her spontaneity - unparalleled in the truest sense of the term. And this doesn't mean she is confined to playing the same kind of characters in all her films. She is as perfect as the lively Geet in 'Jab We Met' or Poo in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...' as the street-smart Chameli in 'Chameli'. She can also portray complex characters, such as Dolly in 'Omkara', Rosie in 'Talaash', and Rupa in 'Laal Singh Chaddha', with the utmost conviction. Her latest release, 'The Buckingham Murders', makes us fall in love with her... all over again!
Credit: kareenakapoorkhan
One interesting aspect of Kareena is that she has rejected more films than she has starred in. And that started even before her official debut - 'Refugee'. In fact, not many know that she was actually supposed to make her debut with Rakesh Roshan's 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai', alongside Hrithik Roshan. Today, on the occasion of her 44th birthday, let's learn more about that in this article.
Yes, Kareena was cast as the leading lady in Rakesh Roshan's 2000 film, 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai', opposite Hrithik Roshan. However, after a few days into shooting, she opted out of the production due to creative differences with the director. The role was eventually played by Ameesha Patel.
There’s a long shot in KNPH where Kareena’s standing with Hrithik that the makers forgot to edit out.
The actress later shared that she was not happy with more prominence being given to the director's son than her. In an interview with Filmfare, she explained, “The film was made for Hrithik. His dad spent five hours on every frame and close-up of his, whereas not even five seconds were spent on Ameesha. There are portions in the film where she has pimples and under-eye bags on her face. She just doesn’t look beautiful, but every shot of his was a dream. If I were in the film, I would have definitely gotten a better deal, but I still feel that the attention would have been divided between us. So, I’m glad I didn’t do the film. I’m glad that even after I left the movie there was no problem between Hrithik and me. He’s still a good friend, I am very happy for his success and we are even working on two films together."
Kareena's FIRST shot ever was...in Hrithik Roshan's Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. She'll tell you where it is! pic.twitter.com/PZp8UubSZo
— Kareena Kapoor Khan FC (@KareenaK_FC) June 21, 2016
Credit: Kareena Kapoor Khan FC
Ameesha Patel, who became an overnight sensation after the release of 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai', later shared a contradictory narrative regarding the same. She said that Kareena was actually asked to leave by the director, Rakesh Roshan.
In an interview with Filmfare, Ameesha said, "Actually, she [Kareena] didn’t back out. From what Rakesh ji told me, he asked her to leave the film because they were having differences. And Pinkie Aunty, his wife and Hrithik’s mom, said that they were shocked because the set was ready, and a replacement, Sonia had to be found in three days, and crores of rupees (had been spent) on that set, and it was Hrithik’s debut and everyone was really stressed. Pinky Aunty told me that the day Rakesh saw me at the wedding, he did not sleep all night. He was like ‘I got my Sonia, I got my Sonia, but I hope she says yes’.”
#AmeeshaPatel alleges that #KareenaKapoor did not exit #KahoNaaPyaarHai but was removed days before shooting began. pic.twitter.com/LdFc9dxqBe
— Filmfare (@filmfare) September 3, 2023
'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' emerged as a massive commercial success, with over ₹800 million gross worldwide. 'Refugee', released in the same year, was an average grosser at the box office, with a worldwide collection of ₹35.44 crores.
Ameesha Patel and Hrithik Roshan made their debut with ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’
J. P. Dutta, who directed Kareena in 'Refugee', later shared in an interview that he had cast her for the "remarkable combination of youthfulness and innocence" in her.
Kapoor's performance in 'Refugee' was lauded by critics and audiences alike. It earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
Happy Birthday, Kareena. Best Wishes For All Your Upcoming Endeavors!
