Farhan Akhtar Remembers Hrithik Roshan’s Reaction to SRK Replacing Him in Don: ‘If You Feel He Is…
Farhan Akhtar began crafting the script for Don shortly after the release of Hrithik Roshan’s Lakshya. Initially, he expressed his intention to cast Hrithik in the film, promising to share the script soon. However, as he wrote, Farhan found himself envisioning only Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. In a candid conversation with Raj Shamani on his podcast, Farhan shared, “I reached out to Hrithik and told him I was considering remaking Don. He responded, ‘Sounds amazing,’ and I assured him that I would write it and bring it to him.” Yet, as he continued writing, Shah Rukh’s presence dominated his thoughts. Farhan felt that Shah Rukh was the perfect fit for the character, citing his “personality, wit, and sarcastic humor.”
Faced with the dilemma of already having approached Hrithik, Farhan called him again to discuss his growing inclination towards Shah Rukh. Hrithik’s response was remarkably gracious: “Farhan, you need to make your film the way you envision it. If you believe Shah Rukh is the right choice, go ahead and reach out to him; don’t worry about me.” This supportive gesture left a lasting impression on Farhan. Interestingly, Hrithik later made a cameo in the 2011 sequel, Don 2, which was also led by Shah Rukh.
In the same podcast, Farhan praised Shah Rukh, highlighting his ability to engage in conversations on various topics and his keen listening skills. “He is well-read, curious, and adventurous. He enjoys life and doesn’t take things too seriously,” Farhan noted. He described Shah Rukh as possessing an inherent charm that is magnetic, both on and off-screen. This effortless charisma, combined with his hard work, is what has kept Shah Rukh at the pinnacle of his career. Meanwhile, he is now gearing up for Don 3 wherein Shah Rukh Khan has been replaced by Ranveer Singh. Stay tuned to know more about the film only with us.
