Farah Khan's directorial debut, "Main Hoon Na," released in 2004, remains a beloved film for its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and catchy music. While Amrita Rao eventually essayed the role of Sanjana Bakshi, a college student and the General's daughter, director Farah Khan had initially envisioned another actress for the part: Ayesha Takia.
Farah Khan revealed that Ayesha Takia was her first choice for the role of Sanjana. According to Khan, Takia even did a screen test and was signed for the film. However, Takia had to leave the project due to scheduling conflicts. She had committed to Imtiaz Ali's "Socha Na Tha" (2005) and couldn't return in time for "Main Hoon Na's" shooting schedule. Khan recounted that Takia informed her about a brief three-day shoot for "Socha Na Tha" in Manali but didn't return for weeks. This left Farah Khan in a bind, as the "Main Hoon Na" shoot was fast approaching.
With time running out, Farah Khan began the search for a new female lead. She eventually noticed Amrita Rao in a commercial and decided to audition her. Although Khan wasn't initially overwhelmed by Rao's audition, she recognized a certain fragility and appeal in her on camera. Amrita Rao was cast approximately 15 days before filming commenced. Despite not being the first choice, Rao's portrayal of Sanjana "Sanju" Bakshi resonated with audiences, making her a household name.
Interestingly, Ayesha Takia wasn't the only actress considered for the role. Farah Khan also mentioned that Shruti Seth auditioned and performed well. Ultimately, Amrita Rao's screen presence won her the role, and she delivered a memorable performance.
The casting choices for other roles in "Main Hoon Na" also saw some initial changes. Hrithik Roshan was considered for the role of Lucky before his debut film "Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai" was released. After the success of his debut, Hrithik became a star, making it impossible to cast him in the role. Other actors like Abhishek Bachchan and Sohail Khan were also considered before Zayed Khan was finally cast.
Farah Khan also approached several veteran actors, including Naseeruddin Shah, Nana Patekar, and Kamal Haasan, for the negative role of Raghavan Dutta, which was ultimately played by Suniel Shetty. Kamal Haasan declined the role because he felt it would portray him as anti-national.
"Main Hoon Na" was a significant film, marking Farah Khan's successful directorial debut and becoming the first production of Red Chillies Entertainment. Upon its release on April 30, 2004, the film garnered positive reviews and achieved commercial success, grossing ₹84 crore and becoming the second-highest-grossing Indian film of that year. At the 50th Filmfare Awards, "Main Hoon Na" received 12 nominations, winning Best Music Director for Anu Malik.
