Abhishek Bachchan replaced Imran Khan in THIS movie as makers 'didn't want to put the money on a new, untested, unproven person'!

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi-6 (2009) remains one of Hindi cinema’s most lyrical dramas - a layered tale of identity, belonging, and the emotional chaos of Old Delhi. At its heart was Roshan, an NRI rediscovering his roots amid bustling gullies, faith, fear, and fragile humanity.

Abhishek Bachchan stepped into the role and delivered a quietly powerful performance. His restrained vulnerability gave the film its emotional anchor, helping audiences connect with Roshan’s inner conflict while elevating the film’s social message.

Must Read: Imran Khan’s surprise return in Happy Patel is driven by joy, not stardom!

But what if the role had gone to someone else?

The Actor Who Almost Headlined the Film

Years before the cameras rolled, Imran Khan was reportedly in contention for the same part. After recently returning to screens with Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos following a decade-long break, the actor opened up about missed opportunities from earlier in his career.

During a candid chat, he revealed that he had been considered for several big projects - some of which never materialised. One of them was Delhi-6.

Auditions, Hopes, and a Near Miss!

Imran shared that both Rohit Shetty and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra had approached him around 2006-2007. He auditioned, hopeful that one of these films would become his big break.

Speaking about the Mehra project, he recalled, "At various points, there have been various films that have just not come together. With Mehra, it was 'Delhi 6'. At that point, I had not made any films; I tested for the (lead role) film. But at the time, they didn't want to put the money on a new person, on an untested, unproven person."

Eventually, the makers chose a more established face, and the role went to Abhishek Bachchan. Why The Story Felt Personal For Imran, the film wasn’t just another audition- it resonated deeply with his own life.

He explained, "I was born in the States, and I grew up kind of a child of two worlds. So, I related to those things. So, my instinct beforehand, and even after, was, ‘That would have been a cool film to have been a part of.' I would like to have been in that film," he said.

The narrative of an Indian-origin boy returning home mirrored his own cross-cultural upbringing, making the opportunity even more meaningful.

The Heartbreak of Losing the Role

Despite understanding the producers’ decision, the rejection stung. Imran admitted, “The film has aged quite well. Even back then, I was very excited to have been a part of it; I did want the part very much. I was quite devastated that I did not get the part. But I guess looking at the scale of the film and the budget, they wanted a known person. This was before ‘Jaane Tu…’, released," he added.

Looking back, the casting choice makes industry sense - Delhi-6 was mounted on a grand scale, and the producers opted for a bankable star.

Also Check: Imran Khan comeback film a surprising sequel? Returns with a story set 15 years later!

The Film That Finally Happened

While Delhi-6 slipped through his fingers, Imran has now returned with Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, directed by Vir Das and Kavi Shastri. The film features Vir Das, Mithila Palkar, Mona Singh, and others, and released in theatres on January 16, 2026. For fans, it marks a fresh chapter for the actor - proof that missed roles sometimes lead to unexpected comebacks.