Zayed Khan Shares How He Almost Missed Out on Main Hoon Na Role

Zayed Khan’s Journey in Main Hoon Na

Behind the Scenes Drama

More than twenty years after the release of Main Hoon Na (2004), Zayed Khan has revealed how he secured the role of Lucky. In a candid interview with Siddharth Kannan for Brut India, he mentioned that he was initially not even in the running for the part. “I think people are aware of this story,” he started, explaining how the role was originally intended for Hrithik Roshan but went through several hands before landing with him.

A Surreal Phone Call

Things took an unexpected turn when Zayed contacted choreographer Farah Khan about a different project. “I wanted her to choreograph Mohabbat Hai Mirchi, and then she insisted I meet her immediately,” he recalled.

When he arrived at the meeting, he was puzzled to find himself in Shah Rukh Khan’s office instead of Farah’s. “I walked in and saw only Shah Rukh’s pictures everywhere, which made me question the connection,” he added.

Believing the meeting was about the song, he asked Farah if they were proceeding with it, only to be told that Shah Rukh wanted to speak with him.

An Unforgettable Encounter

Zayed revealed that meeting Shah Rukh was surreal. “I was a huge fan during my school days,” he expressed. “When Shah Rukh approached, he radiated charm. He mentioned that they were considering me for a significant role as the second lead.”

Shah Rukh then posed the pivotal question: “Can you act?” To which Zayed confidently replied, “I was born to act.” This answer left Shah Rukh amused, setting the tone for the rest of the meeting.

The Decision

As Farah left, she rolled down her car window to deliver the verdict: “Send me your measurements; you’re going to be in my film.” Zayed fondly termed this moment as a “filmy moment.”

Overview of Main Hoon Na

Released in 2004, Main Hoon Na marked Farah Khan’s directorial debut. The film featured Shah Rukh Khan as Major Ram Prasad Sharma, a military officer on a hidden mission. Zayed played Lucky, the rebellious half-brother, opposite Amrita Rao’s character, Sanjana. Sushmita Sen also starred as Chandni Chopra, the captivating chemistry teacher who won the hearts of both Ram and audiences alike.