Murtuza Iqbal
Nikkhil Advani’s Kal Ho Naa Ho released on 28th November 2003. The film starring Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan completes 17 years of its release today.
So, today, let’s look at the list of lesser-known facts about the movie…
Kareena Kapoor Khan was the first choice for the movie
Yes, you read it right! While Preity Zinta was amazing in the film and even won awards for her performance in it, the first choice for Kal Ho Naa Ho was Kareena Kapoor Khan. It is said that Kareena quoted a whopping for the film, and that’s why the makers then went to Preity.
Saif Ali Khan was not the first choice to play Rohit
Mostly at every award function, Saif Ali Khan won Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance in the film. But this award could have gone to Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan or Vivek Oberoi. Saif was not the first choice for the film, but the fourth choice for the movie.
Body double for Preity Zinta
In the starting of the film, we get to see Preity Zinta jogging on the streets of New York and talks about Indians leaving in the US, and then introduces her character. Well, a model was used as a body double for Preity as the actress had injured herself a day before the shoot.
Not Kal Ho Naa Ho, it was Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Karan Johar, the producer of the film, had initially planned to title the film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. But later, he decided to go with the title Kal Ho Naa Ho. Then in 2006, Karan made a film titled Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna which also starred Preity Zinta and SRK.
Pretty Woman - A recreated track
The song Pretty Woman was a recreated version of the international song with the same name. Karan Johar had bought the rights to recreate Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman for the film.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.