Not Amrita Rao, this actress was the first choice in Farah Khan's Main Hoon Na

When Main Hoon Na hit theatres in 2004, it wasn’t just another Bollywood film; it was a full-blown cinematic celebration. Marking Farah Khan’s directorial debut, the movie had everything that defined early 2000s Bollywood: patriotic drama, college romance, action, comedy, and, of course, Shah Rukh Khan’s unmatched charm. 

With its iconic music, memorable dialogues, and stylish storytelling, Main Hoon Na quickly became a cult classic by winning over audiences of all ages.

However, Filmmaker Farah Khan recently took a nostalgic trip down memory lane while visiting actress Amrita Rao’s home for her vlog. During the visit, she revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes story from her 2004 directorial debut, Main Hoon Na. Few know that before Amrita stepped into the role of Sanjana Bakshi, it was actually Ayesha Takia who had been finalised for the part until she chose to walk away for another project.

A Last-Minute Exit Before Shoot

Farah recalled the tense days leading up to the film’s shoot. “Just two weeks before we were to start shooting, our heroine dropped out. Ayesha Takia was supposed to do it, but she left for Imtiaz Ali’s film. I kept calling her for costume trials, but she said, ‘I won’t be able to come, Imtiaz sir is still shooting,’” Farah shared. With locations like St. Paul’s in Darjeeling already booked, the team suddenly found themselves without a leading lady.

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Enter Amrita Rao — The Perfect Fit

That’s when Gauri Khan suggested Farah meet Amrita. Initially unsure, Farah changed her mind after watching Amrita perform an emotional scene. “On camera, she’s fire, but off camera, she’s just simple, that’s a quality Sridevi had,” Farah said, comparing Amrita to the legendary actress.

Amrita went on to deliver a memorable performance alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Zayed Khan, and Sushmita Sen in Main Hoon Na, which became a massive hit, grossing Rs 70 crore worldwide.

A Twist of Fate

Meanwhile, Ayesha Takia starred in Imtiaz Ali’s Socha Naa Tha opposite Abhay Deol, which failed to perform at the box office. Destiny, it seems, had already chosen Amrita to shine in one of Bollywood’s most loved films.