In an interesting revelation about the 2000 hit film Josh, producer Ratan Jain shared how Josh could have turned out very differently if the original casting plans had worked out. The film, which eventually starred Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Chandrachur Singh, had once been envisioned with Aamir Khan and Salman Khan in pivotal roles.
In an interview with TV9 Bharatvarsh, producer Ratan Jain disclosed that Shah Rukh Khan was initially cast as Max Dias, the fierce yet lovable gang leader, while Aamir Khan was supposed to play the role that was ultimately portrayed by Chandrachur Singh. However, things took an unexpected turn when Aamir expressed interest in playing Max — a role the producers had firmly reserved for Shah Rukh.
“We had decided that Aamir would do the role that was done by Chandrachur and Shah Rukh would do Max. Mansoor (Khan) had shared with me that Aamir wants to play Max. I said, ‘Absolutely not, only Shah Rukh will do that, or I won’t do the film,’” revealed Ratan Jain.
When Shah Rukh learned about Aamir’s desire to play the lead, he decided to step away from the project. The role of Max was later offered to Salman Khan, who, at that time, was in a relationship with Aishwarya Rai. Interestingly, this would have meant Salman portraying Aishwarya’s brother on screen — a dynamic that the filmmakers eventually reconsidered.
Despite the casting reshuffles, Josh went on to become a memorable film in Shah Rukh Khan’s career, remembered for its music, style, and the unique sibling chemistry between SRK and Aishwarya. The film’s story, set in the fictional town of Vasco, remains a cult favorite for fans of 90s Bollywood cinema.
The revelation adds another fascinating chapter to Bollywood’s long history of “what could have been” — showing just how close the industry came to featuring rare collaborations among its biggest stars.
FAQs
Q1: Was Salman Khan really offered a role in Josh?
Yes, producer Ratan Jain confirmed that Salman Khan was approached to play Aishwarya Rai’s on-screen brother, Max, after Shah Rukh Khan initially stepped away from the project.
Q2: Why did Shah Rukh Khan exit Josh initially?
According to Ratan Jain, SRK chose to leave when he found out that Aamir Khan wanted to play the lead role that he was already cast for.
Q3: Did Aamir Khan ever consider doing Josh?
Yes, Aamir was initially supposed to play the role later done by Chandrachur Singh but wanted to switch to the main role of Max instead.
Q4: How is Aamir Khan related to the director Mansoor Khan?
Aamir and Mansoor Khan are cousins, and Aamir made his acting debut in Mansoor’s film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.
Q5: What made Josh a memorable film?
Josh stood out for its vibrant Goa setting, energetic music, and the unusual sibling chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai.
Published on : 7TH November
Source Credit: By Entertainment Desk
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