Farah Khan's directorial debut 'Main Hoon Na' (2004) was a massive hit, and one of the key factors contributing to its success was the talented cast, including Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, and Zayed Khan. While Zayed's portrayal of Laxman is widely regarded as one of his best works, few know that he wasn't the first choice for the role. In a throwback to an old interview, choreographer-turned-filmmaker Farah Khan revealed a surprising name she had initially considered for Laxman's character, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

In an old interview with casting director Mukesh Chhabra, Farah opened up about her casting struggle for her directorial debut. She revealed that Shah Rukh Khan and Sushmita Sen were the only two actors that were confirmed during the initial casting. “Sushmita ko maine bohot pehle bola tha ki jab mai film banaungi toh I will take you as a heroine (I had told Sushmita a long time ago that when I make a film, I will take you as a heroine),” said Farah. However, her real difficulty was casting other actors, especially for the role of Laxman.

Farah revealed that Laxman’s role was initially offered to Hrithik Roshan, much before Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai’ was released. However, the actor turned down the offer following the success of his debut movie. It eventually went to Zayed Khan, but before that, before Zayed, many other actors were approached.

“Zayed ka casting ek dum last minute par hua. Pehle Hrithik karne wala tha, before ‘Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai.’ But ek baar Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai release ho gai toh Hrithik Hrithik ban gaya, toh fir woh chala gaya. Phir ek baar maine Abhishek ko approach kiya tha. Fir woh bhi nahi hua. Sohail Khan ko bhi approach kiya tha. Aise bohot sare the (Zayed's casting happened at the last minute. Earlier Hrithik was going to do the role. But once ‘Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai’ was released, Hrithik became Hrithik, and then he left. Then I approached Abhishek (Bachchan) once. Even that did not happen. Sohail (Khan) was also approached. There were many like them),” said Farah during the conversation.

She further revealed that it was Zayed’s film ‘Chura Liya Hai Tumne’ that made her pick him as Laxman. “Aur fir literally ek mahina baki tha shoot ko. I went to see Zayed ki ek picture thi, ‘Chura Liya Hai Tumne.’ Usne mujhe rushes dekhne ko bulaya tha. Kafi kharab rushes the woh par usme kuch tha. Uski smile achii thi. Usme mujhe kuch charming laga (And then literally one month was left for the film’s shoot. I went to see Zayed’s movie, ‘Chura Liya Hai Tumne’. He had called me to see the rushes [raw, unedited footage]. They were quite bad rushes, but there was something in him. His smile was nice. I found something charming in him),” she added.

Main Hoon Na was released in 2004, starring SRK in the leading role. Apart from Sushmita and Zayed, it also featured Suniel Shetty, Amrita Rao, Kirron Kher, Satish Kaushik, Bindu, Boman Irani, Murali Sharma, and others in pivotal roles.