Swades, released in 2004, is widely celebrated as a landmark film in Shah Rukh Khan’s career, yet it very nearly had a different lead. Many are unaware that director Ashutosh Gowariker, fresh off the blockbuster success of Lagaan with Aamir Khan, initially offered the role to Aamir himself.
Years later, Aamir shed light on his decision to decline the film, revealing that the narration for Swades stretched for a considerable three hours, and after hearing the story, he found it to be “very boring.”
Gowariker was eager to reunite with Aamir after their triumph with Lagaan (2001) and pitched the idea of Swades to him. However, his offer was ultimately rejected. Aamir recounted his reaction to Zoom, stating, “I found it very boring.”
He further elaborated on the timing of the narration: “I had said this to Ashu when he narrated the story to me. In fact, I’ll tell you Ashu narrated the story to me when we were making Lagaan. It was titled Kaveri Amma then. That’s what he told me.”
Did you find Swades boring?
