Long before Hum Tum became a defining romantic film of the 2000s, its lead role went through several rounds of consideration, with top actors choosing to step away. Director Kunal Kohli has now revealed in a conversation with SCREEN that Hrithik Roshan was among those who declined the film, despite appreciating its script.
According to Kohli, Hrithik found the story promising but lacked the confidence to take it on at that stage of his career. The actor was reportedly uncertain about how his then-recent performances, including in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, would be received, which influenced his decision to pass on what the filmmaker described as “pure gold.”
The role eventually went to Saif Ali Khan, who starred opposite Rani Mukerji in the 2004 release. Their on-screen chemistry, along with the film’s music and dialogues, helped it gain cult status over time. The performance also earned Saif the National Award for Best Actor, further cementing his position in Bollywood during that period.
Kohli also clarified that Aamir Khan had not turned down the film but had not heard the script due to personal circumstances at the time. Meanwhile, Vivek Oberoi was briefly considered but did not come on board.
Saif’s National Award win, however, was not without controversy, with comparisons drawn to nominees like Shah Rukh Khan for Swades and Amitabh Bachchan for Black. Addressing speculation, Saif later dismissed claims of influence, stating that his mother Sharmila Tagore had no role in his win.
