Did you know not Aamir Khan but his son Junaid was the initial choice for Laal Singh Chaddha?

Aamir Khan is all set to come back to the big screen after a big break of 4 years and Laal Singh Chaddha is already making buzz for all the right reasons. While the film is a remake of the 1994 Tom Hanks-starrer Forrest Gump and Aamir Khan stepping into the leading role seems the obvious choice, the actor recently revealed that it actually wasn’t the case.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aamir Khan Productions (@aamirkhanproductions)

During a recent interaction with the media, Aamir revealed the story behind Laal Singh Chaddha and its casting choice. He shared, “My son Junaid had gone to LA to study theatre in American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He came back after two years of training and one year he worked with a company there doing plays. So, he came back around the time we were prepping for Laal Singh Chaddha. I had already told Advait (Chandan, director) earlier that ye bahut mushkil film hai, and while you have done a great job with Secret Superstar, this is a very tricky film and I am not sure I can hand it over to you as a director unless you show me a test first.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aamir Khan Productions (@aamirkhanproductions)

Sharing the story of that test shoot, Aamir revealed, “So, I said (to Advait) you shoot 6-7 scenes, which I am going to pick, tough ones. You make a small crew of yours and shoot it, edit it and then show me how are you able to handle that material. I told him not to take me as Laal since I wanted him to do this test without me and not with me. Same time, Junaid had returned, so I told him to take Junaid. So, 2 in 1 ho jayega, dono ka test ho jayega, ke wo LA se kya seekh ke aaya hai.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

What then went on to happen just boggled Aamir’s mind, making even him question his decision of taking the role of Laal. “For 2 weeks, they rehearsed and then shot it. First Kiran and I saw it, and we were blown because Junaid’s performance was too good. He was Laal. After seeing it, I was like Laal ko hi dekh raha hun main, so mera to chance gaya na. To mere liye bahut dharam sankat ho gaya tha us time.”

Aamir shared that he had been prepping for his look in the film for 6 months, but seeing Junaid’s performance, he took a big step. “I had grown my beard for 6 months by then, and we had long discussions. I asked Kiran if I was the only one feeling it, but she said no, he has one a great job. So, I showed it to some close people to me to get feedback, including Raju Hirani (Rajkumar Hirani), Adi (Aditya Chopra), Karan (Karan Johar), to see if only I was feeling it. So, about 100 people saw it which was a 20 minute test of 7-8 scenes. 98 percent said that you should take Junaid. So, I shaved my beard coz of that because even I felt that.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Junaid Khan Fanclub (@junaidkhanfb)

However, it was his writer and director that made Aamir reconsider his decision. “Even I felt so because Junaid was Laal as the character’s main quality is his innocence and Junaid is innocent. He doesn’t have to play it whereas I had to play innocent. So, we decided to make the film with him but Atul and Adi kept saying no. They kept fighting. One day Adi said that the reason is that it’s not a plot heavy film but an episodic film, so don’t take a newcomer in such a film because he won’t be able to carry it, it doesn’t matter who he is. That’s why even they took a star, so they said you should take a star, whoever it be,” he informed.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aamir Khan Productions (@aamirkhanproductions)

But that meant more 6 months for Aamir to re-grow his beard. The actor also revealed what Junaid had said on his dad planning to cast him in the film. Aamir shared, “Usne pehle hi bola that mujhe mat lo. He is a very practical guy, he said papa your budget is too high, don’t take me. But the 8 scenes he did were key scenes, aur use dekhke mujhe sur mil gaya.”

Well, today Aamir seems to have imbibed the character of Laal but it would be exciting to see that test material that even made a perfectionist like Aamir Khan reconsider his own casting.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aamir Khan Productions (@aamirkhanproductions)

Also Read: Aamir Khan hosts a traditional Gujarati dinner for Dhanush and Russo Brothers