Aamir Khan wanted Akshaye Khanna's role, Dimple Kapadia wanted no 'Aunty' tag in THIS film

Before Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, 2001's Dil Chahta Hai, starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Dimple Kapadia and Preity Zinta was a landmark movie that celebrated friendship, love and self-discovery. Helmed by Farhan Akhtar, the movie achieved a cult status and continues to be widely appreciated. All the actors added depth to their characters with their phenomenal performances. However, did you know Aamir Khan wanted to play Akshaye's role and Dimple gave a nod to the project with a condition of no 'Aunty' tag?

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Filmmaker-cum-actor Farhan Akhtar approached several actors for Dil Chahta Hai. However, many leading actors turned down the film and Farhan thought his dream project might stall before it even started rolling.

Akshaye Khanna was the first to give a nod to Dil Chahta Hai. However, his nod was for the charming and cheeky Aakash's role.

As for Aamir, Farhan didn't even consider approaching him. However, after he was left with no other option, the Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara actor approached the PK actor, but for brooding Sid. 

Surprisingly, Aamir liked the script and showed interest in coming on board. However, he had a couple of conditions before signing the project.

As the script was written in English, Aamir wanted the Hindi version to judge whether the humour would translate well. Next, instead of Sid, Aamir wanted to play Aakash's role.

Farhan reworked the script and after approval, Aamir came on board. Now the next challenge was to break the news to Akshaye, who was already on board to play Aakash.

When Farhan shared about the dilemma with Aamir, the latter was confident that Akshaye would understand. Next, Farhan went to Akshaye and explained to him about Aamir's interest in playing Aakash. Surprisingly, the Chhaava actor graciously agreed to the role swap and simply said that he didn't mind playing Sid.

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Dimple Kapadia coming on board for Dil Chahta Hai was surprising for many.

At the WAVES Summit 2025, Farhan recalled how Dimple Kapadia came on board for Dil Chahta Hai.

Farhan said, "When Dimple arrived on the set... So, I had spoke to her, I had cast her in the film but the one thing I had not done was that I had not called her anything because I can't call her Dimple aunty, she would get very upset and I can't call her Dimple because I thought she might feel that I am being too rude so I would just say 'Ji Ji, yes yes, okay okay, yes ma'am."

Further, he added, "When started work and if I had to call her, I couldn't say 'call Dimple', so I would say 'are you ready ma'am? Please come."

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Further, he recalled, "After 2-3 days, she asked, 'Why are you not calling me by my name?' I said, 'I don't know what to call you'. She said, 'You better call me Dimple. Of Dimple aunty comes out of your mouth, I am leaving this film."