16 Years Of Fanaa EXCLUSIVE: “Aditya Chopra had argued that when Kajol declined Yash Raj Films’ Mohabbatein and Veer-Zaara, why would she sign Fanaa?” – Kunal Kohli

By Fenil Seta -

June 20, 2022 - 4:30 PM IST

Director Kunal Kohli had pulled off a casting coup by casting superstars Aamir Khan and Kajol in his much-loved romance saga, Fanaa (2006). The film completed 16 years on May 28 and on this occasion, Bollywood Hungama spoke exclusively to Kohli about the film. During our conversation, Kunal Kohli shared some interesting anecdotes about how much the exciting casting happened.

16 Years Of Fanaa EXCLUSIVE: “Aditya Chopra had argued that when Kajol declined Yash Raj Films’ Mohabbatein and Veer-Zaara, why would she sign Fanaa?” – Kunal Kohli

When asked if he remembers his first reaction when he realised that he has got both Aamir Khan and Kajol as the leading actors in his film, he laughed and replied, “It was a process. It was not like one day I woke up and signed both. Getting Aamir Khan was difficult. He was convinced of the story, but he was wondering how I’d direct it since I had just made Hum Tum (2004) and Mujhse Dosti Karoge (2002), both of which were light romantic films. Fanaa was much deeper and intense, meanwhile. I told him, ‘If you are 100% convinced about me, only then you should do it’. I can’t make a film looking over my shoulder and wondering that ‘Aamir khush hai ya nahin?’ However, he later told me that he was fully convinced of me and that we should go ahead.”

Kunal Kohli continued, “I then asked Aamir who were the three heroines he thought would suit the female lead? To which he answered, ‘Kajol, Kajol and Kajol’! I laughed and asked him, ‘Matlab agar Kajol film nahi karegi toh tu bhi nahi karega?’ He said, ‘Nahi but pehle usko try toh karein’.”

Producer Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films (YRF) had reservations about Kajol signing the film. Kunal Kohli explained, “Aditya Chopra told me that Kajol won’t do the film. Adi told me, ‘Karan Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006) launch kar raha hai. Toh Kajol woh film karegi. Karan uska dost hai. Upar se usme Shah Rukh Khan bhi hai. Why would she sign our film?’ She had also turned down Yash Raj Films’ Mohabbatein (2000) and Veer-Zaara (2004). Hence, Adi argued that when she declined these two films, why would she sign Fanaa? Aamir and I both said, ‘Fine but let’s approach her. Uske munh se naa toh sunn lete hai’! Adi agreed though he maintained that we are wasting our time.”

Kunal Kohli’s conviction paid off. He stated, “I met Kajol in her house and narrated the film to her. At one point, she got so excited with the narration that she spilt the coffee. A few minutes later, Ajay Devgn entered the room to pick up something. He looked at us and the spilt coffee and said, ‘Mujhe puchna bhi nahi hai ki yahaan kya ho raha hai’ (laughs)! She told me that she loved the script and that she was on.”

However, a small obstacle remained. Kunal Kohli said, “I directly went to YRF Studios and gave Adi the good news. He, however, told me, ‘Shayad thoda problem hoga’. I was wondering why he said that and then I asked him, ‘Is it because of her fees? Please do something about it. Or else, I’ll be very upset’. Thankfully, they both agreed upon a price, and she was okay with it.”

Finally, Kunal Kohli stated, “After that, I was just too excited. Aamir Khan and Kajol were two of my favourite actors and to get them together was like a bonus for me.”

Also Read: 16 Years Of Fanaa EXCLUSIVE: Kunal Kohli reveals the HILARIOUS incident when Aamir Khan had asked him for 10 days off so that he could marry Kiran Rao; Aamir had told Kunal not to tell anyone about it, not even producer Aditya Chopra