Aamir Khan recalls liking Rhea Chakraborty’s screen test for Laal Singh Chaddha but going ahead with Kareena Kapoor instead

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Aamir Khan recalls liking Rhea Chakraborty's screen test for Laal Singh Chaddha but going ahead with Kareena Kapoor instead

As a lifestyle expert with an eye for detail and appreciation for the journey of artists in Bollywood, I find it fascinating to delve into the intricacies of casting decisions in some of the industry’s most anticipated films. The recent revelation about Aamir Khan’s casting choices for Laal Singh Chaddha is a perfect example of how even the most established actors face rejections early in their careers and yet continue to persevere.

Under the guidance of director Advait Chandan, the 2022 film Laal Singh Chaddha served as a remake of the 1994 hit, Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks. Aamir Khan took on the lead role, while Kareena Kapoor Khan appeared alongside him in this production. Interestingly, Kareena wasn’t the original choice for her character; Rhea Chakraborty had previously auditioned for the part of Rupa D’Souza before Kareena agreed to work with Advait on his directorial project. Aamir Khan himself has shared that he found Rhea’s screen test for Laal Singh Chaddha impressive, but ultimately chose Kareena (often fondly referred to as Bebo).

In Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast, Chapter 2 on YouTube, Aamir Khan revealed that he first met Rhea during the auditions for Laal Singh Chaddha. He stated, “You came for a screen test. Your performance was excellent in it. However, we ultimately cast Kareena Kapoor Khan instead.”

In response, Rhea Chakraborty stated that Aamir Khan sent her an unexpected rejection message. She mentioned that no filmmaker or actor associated with films she had auditioned for had ever sent her such a message before. Rhea expressed her astonishment after receiving the message from Aamir, but also shared that he acknowledged her acting skills in the message.

Aamir, who first appeared on screen in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak back in 1988, looked back at the early days of his career when he’d often be turned down for film roles after auditions. The famed actor mentioned that he identifies with Rhea, as he believes it’s only fair for actors to be informed if they don’t get a role. At the time, Aamir would learn about his rejections through the news.

Speaking about the casting process for Dangal, Aamir Khan disclosed that he chose six young actresses to play the roles of Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat. Among these were Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra. After making his selection, Aamir communicated with the other four girls, informing them that they had not been chosen for the film. He also mentioned that all six actresses underwent wrestling training for over a year before being cast in the movie.

In a candid chat on Koffee With Karan, I (Aamir Khan) once revealed an interesting tidbit about my selection process for the role of Rupa D’Souza in Laal Singh Chaddha. Initially, Kareena Kapoor wasn’t my first pick, as I was seeking a young actress around the age of 25 to portray the character. You see, Laal and Rupa’s story spans from their youth at 18 all the way to their golden years at 50, so it was crucial for the actress to convincingly embody both younger and older versions of her character.

For those not familiar, Kareena Kapoor Khan tried out for the role of Rupa D’Souza in Laal Singh Chaddha, marking her first audition after 22 years. Her husband, actor Saif Ali Khan, persuaded her to take this screen test for the same movie. The 2022 film featured Mona Singh, Naga Chaitanya, and Manav Vij in significant roles. Atul Kulkarni, an actor-writer, was responsible for writing the film’s script. It was a collaborative production between Paramount Pictures, Aamir Khan Productions, and Viacom18 Studios.

Speaking of Rhea Chakraborty, she has appeared in various movies such as Bank Chor, Chehre, Sonali Cable, Jalebi, Mere Dad Ki Maruti, and Half Girlfriend. Her first role was in the Telugu film Tuneega Tuneega which was released in 2012.

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2024-08-25 17:07