Farhan Akhtar Reveals SRK Was Not His First Choice For Don, it Was Someone Else

By -

AUGUST 09,2024

The Don franchise has been the subject of much intrigue and anticipation. While Shah Rukh Khan's portrayal of the lead character has become iconic, the journey to casting him was far from straightforward. In a recent revelation, director Farhan Akhtar unveiled a surprising detail about the inception of the franchise.

Farhan Akhtar reveals that Hrithik Roshan was his first choice for Don

Farhan Akhtar, the mastermind behind the Don franchise, has stirred up quite a storm with his recent revelations about the casting process. While Shah Rukh Khan is synonymous with the character now, it was initially another Bollywood heartthrob who was in the director's sights.

In a candid conversation on Raj Shamani's podcast, Farhan shared that his first choice for the role of Don was Hrithik Roshan. The duo had previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed film Lakshya and shared great camaraderie. Excited about the prospect of reuniting with Hrithik, Farhan approached him with the idea of remaking the classic Don. To his delight, Hrithik was immediately on board.

Also Read: Farhan Akhtar Opens Up On Divided Opinions On Ranveer Singh As Don, Calls Him Amazing

However, as Farhan delved deeper into the script, his vision for the character evolved. He began to see Shah Rukh Khan's unique personality traitsmdashhis wit, sarcasm, and self-deprecating humourmdashas perfect for the role. Farhan said, 'When I was writing, the only person whose face is popping into my head is Shah Rukh, from what I knew him.'

'So the way he wasmdashnot his cinematic image, but him, his personality, his wit, the little sarcastic sense of humour he has, self-deprecatingmdashhe can make fun of himself. When I was writing, I thought this guy is the best actor for this part,' he added.

Caught in a dilemma, Farhan found himself in a tough spot. Having already given his word to Hrithik, he had to break the news to him about his change of heart. To his relief, Hrithik displayed remarkable grace and encouraged Farhan to go ahead with his vision. Farhan recalled Hrithik saying, 'Farhan, you have to make your film and in the best way possible. If you think he's the guy, please go ahead and call him. Don't worry about me.'

Also Read: Kiara Advani Joins Ranveer Singh In Farhan Akhatr's Don 3 As The Female Lead

Farhan Akhtar talks about Ranveer Singh's casting for the Don franchise

Fast forward to the present, and the Don franchise is gearing up for its third installment. This time, the baton is being passed to Ranveer Singh. Farhan justified the decision by highlighting Ranveer's infectious energy and charm, which he believes are essential for the next Don.

He said, 'The kind of script that we were writing, what I wanted to do with it... it's too early to speak about it, so I can't unfortunately can't get into detail. But it needed this next-generation actor in it. He's just inherently a very charming guy. He's charming he's mischievous. He's just full of energy, which is what this needs.'

While Shah Rukh Khan's absence has disappointed many fans, Farhan clarified that they had explored possibilities for the original Don to reprise his role but couldn't find the right fit for a new story.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan to Play 'Don' for His Next Film King Alongside Daughter Suhana Khan

With the stage set for Ranveer Singh to don the iconic hat, the anticipation for Don 3 is palpable. As the film gears up for its 2025 release, fans can only hope that the new Don will live up to the legacy of his predecessors.