20 Years of Kal Ho Naa Ho

Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) is remembered for Shah Rukh Khan’s unforgettable performance. But even Saif Ali Khan put his best foot forward and it’s no surprise that it’s counted as one of his most loved acts. Dil Chahta Hai (2001) followed by Kal Ho Naa Ho helped Saif Ali Khan emerge as a new-age hero for the multiplex audience, resulting in films like Hum Tum (2004), Salaam Namaste (2005) etc.

In an interview with Mumbai Mirror in 2015, Saif Ali Khan recounted his memorable roles and mentioned Rohit Patel from Kal Ho Naa Ho. He spoke highly of Shah Rukh Khan while doing so.

Saif Ali Khan said, “I was the last of the second leads. I felt a coming-of-age. I was working with the very best in the industry- Director, co-stars, DOP – and I held my own. I felt Shah Rukh taught me so much – mainly the responsibility of the main lead, but keeping up with him was a real challenge. This role led to me getting my first solo lead.”

Not many are aware that Arjun Kapoor worked on the film as an assistant director. In an interview with Mumbai Mirror in 2014, he spoke about his experience.

Arjun said, “The chemistry between Shah Rukh (Khan) and Saif (Ali Khan) left me wide-eyed. They would discuss lines; improvise on them, without any attempt to under-cut each other.”

This was a time when Arjun Kapoor was overweight and producer Karan Johar nicknamed him Fubu, after the only clothing brand that the actor fit into. The nickname stuck with Arjun even after he lost oodles of weight.

Source: Bollywood hungama