The iconic film Kal Ho Naa Hothe highest-grossing movie of 2003, resonated deeply with audiences, becoming an emotional experience cherished by fans.
However, not many know the role of Preity Zinta‘s mother in Kal Ho Naa Ho was initially offered to Neetu Kapoor. The role was later played by Jaya Bachchan. While Neetu was eager to accept, Rishi Kapoor‘s reservations led her to decline. The role eventually went to Jaya Bachchanwho delivered a memorable performance.
During the promotion of her film, Jug Jugg Jeeyo, Neetu revealed the same and said, “It’s not that I didn’t want to act, it was also that I wasn’t into that frame of mind. My husband never asked me not to work, but he was a very possessive man. He wanted me to be home and main baahar bhi jati thi na, he would go crazy ke kahaan ja rahe ho, when will you come. He used to get very insecure. So, for me to leave my husband and go for shoot, I could not imagine. So, I would always put it down ki nahi karna, bechara pareshan ho jayega. That’s why I never worked.”According to earlier reports, Karan Johar initially wanted Kareena Kapoor to play the lead in Kal Ho Naa Ho. However, after her success as Poo in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kareena asked for a high fee, leading Karan to cast Preity Zinta instead. This caused a rift between them, which they later resolved. Kareena later admitted on Koffee With Karan that she regretted turning down the film.
The role of Rohit in Kal Ho Naa Ho was first offered to Abhishek Bachchan and Vivek Oberoi before Saif Ali Khan was finalized. Salman Khan also turned it down as he didn’t want a secondary role to Shah Rukh Khan. Meanwhile, Rani Mukerji was reportedly upset with Karan Johar for not offering her the role of Naina. To make up for it, Karan gave her a special appearance in the song Maahi Ve.