Director Rakesh Roshan’s iconic 1995 film Karan Arjun is all set for a theatrical re-release, marking its 30th anniversary. Ahead of the re-release, Roshan has opened up about the casting process of the film, revealing that he initially approached Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan for the lead roles, but both actors initially turned him down.

In an exclusive interview with Indian Express, Roshan shared that he first approached Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan for the roles of Karan and Arjun. However, both actors had different reasons for not taking on the film. “Ajay can answer as to why he backed out from Karan Arjun, but Shah Rukh had left the film because he wanted to play the role that Ajay was playing and vice versa,” Roshan explained. The actors were keen to break away from their usual screen personas, wanting to explore different characters. However, Roshan made it clear that he wasn’t making the film to alter their images, but to tell a story that required them to portray characters true to the narrative.

Despite his initial reservations, Shah Rukh Khan later returned to Roshan, expressing a desire to work with the director. At this point, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan had already been approached and agreed to play the lead roles of Karan and Arjun. “SRK came back to me and said he wanted to work with me because I was the first person to sign him as an actor for King Uncle. He said, ‘I couldn’t sleep at night, and even though I don’t believe in the story, I will still work with you. I have full conviction,'” Roshan recalled.

The director then decided to start with Shah Rukh Khan, even though Aamir Khan had already been signed. Roshan recalled that Aamir had no objections to the change, allowing the casting to fall into place.

In another interesting tidbit, Roshan revealed that Shah Rukh Khan also recommended his close friend Kajol for the role of the female lead. “Shah Rukh had recommended Kajol, and after hearing great things about her, I signed her for the role,” Roshan said.

Despite initial doubts from distributors about the film’s unconventional casting, Karan Arjun went on to become a major hit. “When I announced the film, two distributors backed out because it starred two romantic heroes in action roles. Nobody believed in the film, but they all believed in me. When it was released, it was the audience who lapped it up,” Roshan said.

Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kajol, Mamta Kulkarni, and Rakhee Gulzar, Karan Arjun was released in January 1995. The film will return to theaters on November 22, allowing a new generation of viewers to experience its epic storyline and memorable performances.