Kajol, not Aishwarya Rai, was approached to play SRK’s sister in Josh: Director

Filmmaker Mansoor Khan, known for his collaborations with cousin Aamir Khan on hit films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, recently shared insights into the making of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Josh. Mansoor revealed that he was initially considering casting Kajol as Shah Rukh’s sister in the film, despite their established reputation as a romantic pair. However, he ultimately chose Aishwarya Rai for the role, praising her professionalism.
Speaking on the India Now and How YouTube channel, Mansoor discussed his decision to cast Shah Rukh and Aishwarya as siblings rather than a romantic couple. He shared that he had Kajol in mind for the role.
“I narrated the film to Kajol because I wanted her to play the sister. This is the ultimate sacrilege, after Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. After she heard the story, she got up and was ready to leave my house. I said, ‘Kajol, are you doing the film?’ She said, ‘No, I want to play Max’. Then she walked out,” Mansoor Khan recalled.
That’s when he approached Aishwarya Rai. He shared, “I was worried that nobody wanted to play Max’s sister, but luckily, Aishwarya agreed to do the film. “She was a thorough professional. She never complained, never said where the camera should be… I think, personally, Josh was her best film.”
There was more confusion about the casting. Khan also added, “My thought was, both characters are equally important… I always had Shah Rukh in my mind for Max’s role. And I was intending to cast Aamir in Chandrachur Singh’s role. When I told Aamir the story, he assumed that he was playing Max.” Shah Rukh Khan also initially declined the offer, believing Aamir was cast in the film.
Mansoor Khan left the film industry in 2003 to become a farmer in Coonoor. He later returned briefly to work on Imran Khan’s debut film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. He is currently working on Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan’s second film.