22 Years of 'Main Hoon Na': How Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan got St Paul’s School location for free

The 'Main Hoon Na' completed 22 years on this day, April 30. The film starred Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Zayed Khan, and Amrita Rao. It continues to be remembered for its blend of humour, action, and music.The film also stands out for its memorable setting. The campus location became a key visual identity. Over the years, it has remained one of the most talked-about aspects of the film.Filmmaker Farah Khan revealed how she discovered the iconic shooting spot. Earlier she spoke about it on Rajeev Masand’s audio show ‘Picture Ke Peeche’.She said she first noticed the location while watching 'Mera Naam Joker', directed by Raj Kapoor. Intrigued by the setting, she reached out to Randhir Kapoor to learn more about it. Farah recalled, “He (Randhir Kapoor) was one of the few people who asked me ‘Why do you want to direct a movie? Down the ages, when choreographers direct a movie, toh unki dukaan bandh ho jaati hai’! So, I was very disheartened. But I found that even Guru Dutt was a choreographer.”Farah explained that she was particular about finding a realistic setting. She did not want an artificial or exaggerated campus. Her vision was clear from the beginning.She said, “And yes, I did call him (Randhir Kapoor) because I just could not find (a place). I didn’t want a campus that is unearthly and doesn’t (feel real). I wanted a campus that might be upmarket but still (feels like it is located) in this country.” Her persistence eventually led her to the perfect location.A significant portion of the film was shot at St. Paul's School. According to Farah, securing permission was surprisingly easy. The school management agreed to provide the location without charging any fee.She shared, “The management gave the location to us for free. I spoke with the Father, and he was very happy. The only condition was that we should shoot in December when the kids are on holiday. In December, however, it was freezing cold. All my 100 dancers and other crew members lived in the school dormitory.” The challenging weather added to the experience of the shoot.Farah described the shoot as one of her most memorable experiences. Living on campus created a strong bond among the cast and crew. The environment felt unique and immersive. She recalled, “There was a church on the campus. We would all pray there daily. We used to eat our meals in the mess. We installed a water heater in the dormitory. The students never had the chance to have hot water,” she said.The film marked Farah Khan’s directorial debut. It also featured Suniel Shetty, Kabir Bedi, Naseeruddin Shah, Boman Irani, and Kirron Kher.The story followed Major Ram Prasad Sharma, an Indian Army officer on an undercover mission. He joins a college to protect a general’s daughter while trying to reunite with his estranged family.