Arif Zakaria clarifies rumors of replacing Shah Rukh Khan for the role of a transgender in Darmiyaan: “There was not much awareness…”

Actor Arif Zakaria recently addressed long-standing rumors regarding his casting in the film Darmiyaan: In Between, where he portrayed a transgender character named Immi. The film, which marked Zakaria's debut in 1997, has been the subject of speculation regarding its original casting choices, particularly concerning Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Darmiyaan: In Between, directed by Kalpana Lajmi and written by Saagar Gupta, tells the poignant story of an actress who discovers that her son is transgender. The film features prominent actors such as Kiron Kher and Tabu alongside Zakaria. Originally, it was rumored that Shah Rukh Khan was slated to play the role of Immi, but ultimately, it was Zakaria who took on the part.

In a conversation on Siddharth Kannan's YouTube channel, Zakaria discussed these rumors in detail. He stated, "I don't think this story is completely true. Director Kalpana Lajmi at that point in time met many actors, and that is a fact. Due to some reasons, some actors said yes, some said no, and that role."

Arif elaborated on the context of the time when Darmiyaan was being cast. He noted that there was less awareness about LGBTQ+ roles in cinema back then. "Nowadays, actors come in sarees; earlier, there was not much awareness, so many actors rejected playing that role," he explained. This lack of acceptance likely influenced casting decisions and led to many actors declining the opportunity.
Zakaria expressed a sense of destiny surrounding his casting in Darmiyaan. He reflected on the uncertainty he faced during his first film: "There were talks at that time; she met Shah Rukh Khan and other Bollywood and South actors. I had just some information; it was my first film in which I was waiting for my one scene, and it was all my faith that the entire film was made" he expressed.

The film itself had garnered attention for its bold narrative and portrayal of transgender issues at a time when such topics were rarely explored in mainstream Indian cinema.



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