5 things you need to know about Shah Rukh Khan’s Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa

Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa was made on a shoestring budget of Rs 1.4 crore, and the cast and crew stayed in no-frills guest houses. (Image: Screen grab/Red Chillies Entertainment)

Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic but lesser known film Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa turns 30 this week. Here are a few interesting facts you might not have known about the film:

SRK wasn’t first choice for the 'bumbling' hero of KHKN

Khan who hadn’t yet hit the kind of peak that his compatriots – the other two Khans – had, wasn’t first choice for the film. Director Kundan Shah had first approached Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla for the lead roles. Due to undisclosed reasons, both actors walked out of the film – except Juhi who made a small cameo – paving the way for the Circus star’s famous role.

Ashutosh Gowariker as co-star

Before Khan and Gowariker produced the landmark, but under-appreciated in its time, Swades, the duo actually collaborated as actors. Gowariker played a member of the band that Sunil (Khan’s character in the film) was part of. The two were also together in Chamatkaar (alongside Naseerudin Shah, who also has a role in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa). The two wouldn’t meet again until Swades of course, where Gowariker was behind the camera.

The Suchitra Krishnamoorthi Conundrum

Suchitra Krishnamoorthi who played the apple of Sunil’s eye, was ecstatic and brilliant as the subject of both desire and jealousy. A role that has been appreciated for its ethereality, though never quite materialised as a career with some sort of longevity. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa remains the actress’ most notable work till date and it says something about the eerie progressiveness of the film that it retains its novelty still.

Khan sold his own tickets

In maybe a historic first, Khan went to the Gaiety cinema in Mumbai (back then Bombay) to sell and sign tickets as keepsakes of his legend. It confirms Khan’s humility and knack to will himself into places and situations that few, who were entitled with film heritage would. It’s also a clue into the work ethic that transformed a Delhi born boy into the king of Bollywood.

Shoe-string budget

Made on a meagre budget of Rs 1.4 crore, the film couldn’t even shoot in places it wanted to. The crew stayed at tourism guest houses in Goa, couldn’t afford any luxuries and failed to recover its cost for at least a decade.