Aamir Khan Hated Shah Rukh Khan Starrer Josh After Rejecting It? Director Mansoor Khan Spills The Beans

Josh, directed by Mansoor Khan, features Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai as siblings. Initially, Aamir Khan was considered for the role of Max, but he declined the offer in Josh. While Josh may not have achieved blockbuster status, it remains a beloved film among fans for its cast, story, music, and performances. Khan revealed that the script was crafted with both Shah Rukh Khan and his cousin, Aamir Khan, in mind.

Aamir Khan Rejected, Hated Shah Rukh Khan’s Josh

Aamir Khan not only turned down the film but also “hated” it when he first watched it years later. “He [Aamir Khan] saw it at that time and said he hated it,” Mansoor Khan told Screen. He added, “So I said, okay, fine. I was pretty disillusioned after that, too. I didn’t watch it again for 15, maybe 17 years. And, I finally saw it about eight years ago, and honestly, I feel it’s not a bad film. I told Aamir, ‘You should see it now. ’ I said, ‘See, back then, the wounds were still fresh’.”

Mansoor Khan Narrates Both Actors’ Reaction To Josh Script

The film’s narration was shared with both Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir. Both actors were interested in playing Max, the role that eventually went to SRK. Mansoor recalled how the casting process unfolded and the moment when Aamir declined to play the part. He explained, “So after Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, I was looking for a script. And it was then I wrote a lot of Josh, and I had both Aamir and Shah Rukh in mind, Aamir for the romantic lead, opposite whoever the actress would be, and Shah Rukh as Max.“

He added, “But when I narrated it to Aamir, I didn’t specify who would play which role. So he started imagining that he’d be playing Max. I thought, ‘Oh no, now what do I do?’ In my head, I was like, okay, don’t jump the gun. Let me see what Shah Rukh says first. Not that I ever intended to give Max’s role to Aamir, honestly — I just wanted to see how the cards would fall.”

Mansoor Khan On SRK’s Reaction

Mansoor Khan further shared that he met with SRK and narrated the script to him. Shah Rukh Khan loved it immediately, and by the end of the narration, he was already suggesting scenes—his mind was very active. He began proposing ideas, like how Max could behave in certain scenes. At that moment, Mansoor thought Shah Rukh also wanted the same role. But since he wanted Shah Rukh for Max, he asked if he was doing the film. The actor replied that he wasn’t, because he knew Aamir would get Max. Mansoor admitted, “I hadn’t really known how to respond to that, so I just left it there and didn’t say anything.”

Later, Aamir approached Mansoor and said, “No, no, I don’t want to play this role.” He had already played several soft, romantic parts and wanted to change his image after Rangeela, where he portrayed a tapori. So he declined on his own accord. Mansoor explained, “In my mind, even to this day, there’s only one Max, and that’s Shah Rukh. He’s got that panache, the humour, and that underlying threat needed for the role. He is a charismatic guy.”

Previously, Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan had teamed up in the 1992 blockbuster, Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.

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Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.