Did you know Kajol was the first choice instead of Aishwarya Rai in ‘Josh’ opposite Shah Rukh Khan

It has been 25 years since 'Josh', the colorful 2000 drama featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Chandrachur Singh, and Priya Gill, was directed by Mansoor Khan. The film, which debuted in theaters on June 9, 2000, was noted for its distinctive blend of genres, using a musical action-drama set in Goa, and an even more unusual casting choice, with Shah Rukh and Aishwarya playing twins.

A risky sibling pairing that surprised Bollywood

When 'Josh' was released in theaters, the film's casting was considered controversial across the film industry as Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, both known for their romantic screen personas, played siblings, Max and Shirley, in a way that avoided traditional tropes in Bollywood films. Patently set in Goa, and at least in part modeled on 'West Side Story', 'Josh' was about gang rivalries and love, and loyalty to one another and groups.

Mansoor Khan notes the film had a "frontier family dynamic," and that was purposeful, as the film was "working against the whole genre of what a film should do, at a certain point in time."

Kajol was the first choice

Before Aishwarya came on board, Mansoor initially envisioned Kajol as Shah Rukh’s twin. Having delivered multiple blockbusters together from ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ to ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ their romantic pairing had become iconic.

Unsurprisingly, Kajol declined. Sharing anecdotes with ETV Bharat, Mansoor recalls, “Yes, I had Kajol in mind. Her pairing with Shah Rukh was so strong that she felt playing his sister would be sacrilege.

Personally, I believe in breaking such rules, after all, Nargis played Sunil Dutt’s mother in ‘Mother India’ and it became a classic.”

Aishwarya Rai: The professional who shone as Shirley

After Kajol’s refusal, Mansoor feared no actress would take on the role. Then came Aishwarya Rai, who not only accepted it but elevated it.

The director fondly remembers her dedication, “Aishwarya was thoroughly professional. I feel ‘Josh’ was her best film. She suited the part so well and needed no convincing; she simply fit Shirley perfectly.”

Why Shah Rukh Khan and not Aamir became Max

Until ‘Josh’, Mansoor Khan had directed his cousin

Aamir Khan

in every film from ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ to ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’. Naturally, there was speculation that Aamir would play Max. Mansoor clarifies the twist, “When I narrated the story to Aamir, he thought he was Max.

When I narrated it to Shah Rukh, he started suggesting ideas for Max and I knew he was right for the role. Aamir was too much of a star to play Chandrachur’s submissive character, so Shah Rukh as Max made perfect sense.

”

A director who dared to be different

Following ‘Josh’, Mansoor Khan moved away from directing films, and took up residence in Coonoor, where he is now settled in an organic farm. Upon reflecting on audience perceptions, he states, “Since then, audiences have evolved.

Back then audiences said Shah Rukh and Aishwarya don't look anything like twins. But now, audiences have progressed to appreciate storytelling as opposed to just looks.”

A legacy that still resonates

Twenty-five years later, ‘Josh’ remains one of Bollywood’s boldest casting experiments a film that defied expectations and gave us memorable characters in Max and Shirley. For Mansoor Khan, it wasn’t just about rebellion or romance; it was about redefining relationships on screen. And in doing so, ‘Josh’ carved its place in Bollywood history, a film as fearless as its creator.