When Shah Rukh Khan almost made his Malayalam debut
When Shah Rukh Khan almost made his Malayalam debut
When Shah Rukh Khan almost made his Malayalam debut to steal Juhi Chawla from Mohanlal and Mammootty his Malayalam debut. fact, had things gone as planned, both SRK and Juhi Chawla would have forayed into Malayalam cinema together.
It is needless to quote Shah Rukh Khan as the undisputed Baadshah of Bollywood. He has been ruling over the industry for more than three decades. From Baazigar (1993), Darr (1993), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Chak De! India (2007), Om Shanti Om (2007) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), to the recent Pathaan (2023) and Jawan (2023), he has delivered some of Hindi cinema’s most memorable blockbusters. Today, he ranks among the biggest movie superstars globally, with fans across the world who know his films and iconic dialogues by heart.
But not many may be versed that SRK almost made his Malayalam debut? In fact, had things gone as planned, both he and his close friend, actor Juhi Chawla, would have forayed into Malayalam cinema together. Unfortunately, the plan fell through at the last moment, leaving behind nothing but a single photograph of him with the film’s lead cast.
Even so, that one image has set the internet afire time and again, thanks to the sheer amount of star power captured in a single frame.
Forget the actor, it’s Mohanlal the producer who should make a comeback; the one behind both his National Awards for Best Actor.
As it’s everyone’s guess the film in question was director Fazil’s 1998 blockbuster mystery buddy comedy Harikrishnans, featuring Mohanlal and Mammootty in the titular roles, with Juhi Chawla as the female lead. Juhi played Meera, the woman both Hari (Mammootty) and Krishnan (Mohanlal) fall in love with. Fearing backlash from fans depending on whom Meera ended up with, the makers devised a unique solution and decided to film two climaxes. In one, she chooses Hari, and in the other, she ends up with Krishnan.
Faazil once recorded that when making the film, she never wanted people saying she favoured Mohanlal or Mammootty. At the same time, he had to consider their fans as well. The real dilemma was, who would end up with Juhi Chawla’s character? If Mammootty got her, Mohanlal’s fans would be upset, and vice versa. The idea of two endings came from that curiosity. You could even call it a mischief. We shot one version where Mohanlal gets her, another where Mammootty does. We also filmed a version where it wasn’t revealed who she chose. There were a total of 32 prints. He resolved the issue by saying, ‘Let Mohanlal get her in 16 prints and Mammootty in the remaining 16,’”
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While the filming of Harikrishnans was underway in Ooty, Shah Rukh Khan was also in town, shooting for one of his projects. Given his close friendship with Juhi, the two met frequently. Fazil shared, “After shooting, Juhi would meet Shah Rukh every evening and tease him, saying, ‘What are our Hindi sets compared to this one? This is the real set! You should meet the director, meet the artistes! What a homely atmosphere!’
Finally, Shah Rukh wanted to be in this film, even if it’s just for one shot.’ But didn’t know how to incorporate him.”
However, another idea occurred to the “mischievous” Fazil, who thought, what if neither Hari nor Krishnan ended up with Meera, and she had a secret lover who ultimately became her life partner? “While he was struggling to decide whether Mammootty or Mohanlal should get Juhi, he thought of having Shah Rukh appear at the end, walking away hand in hand with her. But he felt it would seem too artificial, so he dropped the idea.
Interestingly, Shah Rukh was also the initial choice for another role in the film, Guptan, Meera’s friend whose murder forms the crux of the mystery. However, due to his packed schedule, the plan didn’t materialise, and the role went to cinematographer-director Rajiv Menon instead.
Nonetheless, just imagine how incredible it would have been to see all four legends — Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Mohanlal and Mammootty — sharing the screen, not just in a single frame like the photo taken on the movie’s set. If only Fazil had gone ahead with that “secret lover” twist! Guess we weren’t lucky enough as an audience to witness that version of Harikrishnans.
News Edit KV Raman
