Farhan Akhtar recently shared insights into the casting decisions behind his iconic film Don. Despite initially considering Hrithik Roshan for the lead role, Akhtar ultimately chose Shah Rukh Khan after realizing that Khan's unique qualities made him a better fit for the character.
In a candid conversation with Raj Shamani on his podcast, Farhan revealed that he had approached Hrithik Roshan before even starting to write the script. At the time, Akhtar was still reeling from the box office performance of Lakshya and felt that remaking Don could be a fresh start. Hrithik, initially excited about the idea, was supportive of Farhan's vision.
However, as Farhan began developing the screenplay, he found that Shah Rukh Khan's "personality, wit, and sarcastic humor" increasingly seemed ideal for the role. Farhan explained, “While writing it, the only person whose face kept popping into my head was Shah Rukh. His inherent charm and ability to bring a unique energy to the character made him the perfect choice.”
When Farhan reached out to Hrithik to explain the shift, Roshan responded with remarkable grace, saying, "You have to make your film the way you want to. If you feel Shah Rukh is the guy, please go ahead and call him. Don’t worry about me." Hrithik later made a memorable cameo in Don 2.
Farhan praised Shah Rukh Khan not only for his screen presence but also for his off-screen attributes. He described Khan as "exceptionally charming and knowledgeable," noting his wide-ranging interests and engaging personality. "Shah Rukh can talk about any topic with depth and has a natural charisma that makes him enjoyable to be around," Farhan added.
Looking ahead, Farhan Akhtar is gearing up to work with Ranveer Singh on Don 3, promising more exciting developments in the franchise.
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