Not Aishwarya Rai, Kajol was the FIRST choice to play Shah Rukh Khan's sister in Josh, reveals director Mansoor Khan

Time of India

22-04-2025

Mansoor Khan revealed surprising casting choices for his film 'Josh.' Shah Rukh Khan was always the first choice for Max, but Aamir Khan initially assumed he would play the role. Kajol declined the sister's role, wanting to play Max instead. Aishwarya Rai's professionalism impressed Khan, as she accepted the role without concern for character prominence.
Filmmaker Mansoor Khan, known for hit films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, recently spoke about the casting of his 2000 movie Josh. In a new interview with PTI, he revealed that the film's cast could have looked very different. Aamir Khan was first considered to play Aishwarya Rai's love interest, and Kajol was originally offered the role that later went to Aishwarya. The film eventually starred Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya as twins.
Shah Rukh Khan Was Always the First Choice for Max
The director shared that SRK was always his first choice to play the role of Max in Josh. However, when he first discussed the script with Aamir Khan, Aamir assumed he would be cast as Max. Later, when Mansoor approached Shah Rukh with the same role, the actor was enthusiastic. But after realizing that Aamir might be involved, Shah Rukh stepped back from the project, which led to a change in casting plans.
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Kajol Wanted to Play Max, Not the Sister
Eventually, Shah Rukh came back on board to play Max, while Aamir left the project. But casting challenges continued. When Mansoor Khan offered the role of Max's twin sister to Kajol—who had already shared blockbuster success with Shah Rukh in films like DDLJ and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai—she surprised him by walking out after the narration. When asked about taking the role, she declined, expressing interest in playing Max instead, as she felt that character carried more charm.
Aishwarya Rai's Professionalism Sealed the Deal
Things finally fell into place when Mansoor Khan approached Aishwarya for the role. Unlike others, she didn't focus on which character had more prominence. She appreciated the overall story and agreed to come on board. Her professionalism stood out, and Mansoor believes Josh was one of her finest performances.
The filmmaker highlighted that his casting decisions are guided by conviction rather than commercial appeal. He shared that he doesn't focus on whether the pairing will be a box-office hit, but instead prioritizes whether he personally believes in the casting choice.