EXCLUSIVE: Farida Jalal reveals she REJECTED Kal Ho Naa Ho; recalls why she was hesitant to play Jaya Bachchan’s mother-in-law

Farida Jalal has come a long way in showbiz and is one of the most loved veteran actresses in Indian cinema. She recently impressed everyone with her stint in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi which was released on Netflix. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Bubble, Farida Jalal revisited her filmography and revealed that she was supposed to be a part of Nikkhil Advani and Karan Johar’s Kal Ho Naa Ho with Jaya Bachchan, however, she was apprehensive to play her mother-in-law. She also shared Jaya Bachchan was not the first choice for Preity Zinta’s mother role, earlier Neetu Kapoor was shortlisted.

Farida Jalal recalls why she opted out of Kal Ho Naa Ho

During the chat, we asked veteran actress whether she was offered Kal Ho Naa Ho and why she backed out of it. She shares, “Nikhil Advani who earlier assisted in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, later directed Kal Ho Naa Ho. When he narrated me the story he said Neetu Kapoor was supposed to play Preity Zinta’s mother. He also named some other actor, but eventually Jaya Bachchan did the role. Aur humne tabhi hi Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham khatam ki thi jisme hum dono ek umar ki auraton thi. Maa ke role mein hum dono hi the, second film mein unki saas banu wo believable hota? (And at that time we had shot for Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham in which we were playing women’s of same age. We both were playing mothers in that film and then in second film I play her mother-in-law. Would that be believable? )”

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She further added, “First scene me log hanste. Hum dono ko believable nahi laga. Us role me aisa kuch nahi tha jo mujhe afsoos bhi hota. (People would have laughed at first scene only. In fact we both didn’t believe it. I don’t even regret not getting that role). And jab jayaji aayi us role me, she was not first choice, mujhe dusre naam bataye gaye the. As we know the character of Sushma Seth, she was mourning her son’s death and she was having bitter equation with Jaya who is her daughter-in-law. Even Nikhil asked me that ‘you both played same age women in a film and now you will play her mother-in-law, will that be believable?’ So I said no and refused the role as I was apprehensive to essay the character.”

Watch the full interview here:

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Farida Jalal calls Shah Rukh Khan a stubborn actor; feels Salman Khan has a laid-back attitude