Approaching its 20th anniversary, 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' continues to captivate audiences, and director Nikkhil Advani recently unveiled a behind-the-scenes revelation about the film's early days.
Nikkhil Advani disclosed that Shah Rukh Khan, leading alongside Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta, nearly walked away from the project due to an injury merely four days into the shooting. The actor's back troubles prompted concerns, leading him to express his desire to exit the film.
During a candid conversation with Rajshri Unplugged, Nikkhil Advani recalled the challenging moments when Shah Rukh Khan experienced back issues, compelling him to request his departure from the film. However, the team opted for a delayed shoot, giving Shah Rukh Khan the necessary time to recuperate before resuming filming. This unexpected setback resulted in a six-month delay for the movie's production.
Nikkhil Advani also revealed the immense pressure he felt while directing 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'. Given the high bar set by previous production companies' successes like 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', the director acknowledged the weight of maintaining the production house's impeccable success record. Any potential deviation from this track record would have invited scrutiny and placed responsibility on Advani's shoulders.
The iconic film's narrative revolves around Naina (portrayed by Preity Zinta), whose hardship-filled life transforms when she encounters Aman (played by Shah Rukh Khan). The movie has one of the most depressing climax sequences ever made in Bollywood.
On the professional front, Shah Rukh Khan gears up for 'Dunki', directed by Rajkumar Hirani and set to release on December 22.