This film was rejected by Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, Vivek Oberoi, role went to..., film became a hit, actor won a National Award, film is...

India.com

22-05-2025

Do you remember Saif Ali Khan's iconic 2004 film Hum Tum featuring Rani Mukerji in the lead role? The film proved to be a huge box office success for the producers. Today, we will tell you interesting facts about Hum Tum. You will be surprised to know that Saif Ali Khan was not the first choice for Hum Tum. Yes, you read it correctly, the actor who played the role nearly perfectly was not even the second or the third option for the makers. In an inter, Hum Tum director Kunal Kohli revealed interesting details about his iconic film.
During the early 2000s, Saif Ali Khan had a tough time getting a break. The actor was yet to deliver a solo hit and make his name in the industry. It turns out that the film, Hum Tum, was crafted according to his needs. However, Saif was not even on the preferred list of actors. While Saif made his stardom grow with Hum Tum, the script was first offered to Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, and then Vivek Oberoi. The director of this film revealed that all three actors had some other reason to reject Hum Tum. Kunal Kohli further revealed that Hrithik was the first choice for the film. Hrithik Roshan was the first choice for Hum Tum
During a conversation with Radio Nasha, Hum Tum director revealed that he first called Hrithik to offer Hum Tum, since the two had previously collaborated in 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge', which was backed by Yash Raj Films. Kunal revealed that Hrithik Roshan loved the script but wasn't confident enough to do the film, since he was yet to make a mark in Bollywood after giving back-to-back flops. The actor accepted his fate and realised that many of his upcoming films won't do business, since it was a bad time for him. Aamir Khan rejected the film as well
After HRK rejected Hum Tum, Kunal Kohli's second choice was Aamir Khan. During this time, Aamir was heading for a divorce from his first wife, Reena Dutta. It is believed that Aamir Khan was not even interested in the script and ignored it. Since he was going through a tough period, Aamir Khan refused to read the script, due to his mental state, dealing with this personal relationship. He said, 'Friend, I am not in such a mental state that I can even listen to the script, so I will not even listen to it.' Vivek Oberoi was offered Hum Tum, but…
After two top actors rejected that film, Kunal Kohli's third choice was none other than Vive Oberoi, initially the actor gave the dates but late refrained to the film since he wanted to make slight changes in the script, and then the two never talked about it.
Now that the three top actors rejected doing Hum Tum, it was Aditya Chopra's suggestion to rope in Saif Ali Khan for the lead role in Hum Tum. Kunal said, 'I immediately visualised him (Saif Ali Khan) in every scene of the film, and I felt that he would look great in it. Saif had not done any solo hero hit film till that time. But Aditya Chopra said, 'I am completely confident.' Kunal said that when Hrithik Roshan came to the trial show of the film, he also agreed that Saif was the perfect choice for this character.