‘Tu kaise direct karega isse?’: Aamir Khan initially doubted this director’s first film. It later won a National Award

Farhan Akhtar needs no introduction. The actor-director has impressed audiences and critics alike with a variety of versatile roles in films like Rock On, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Dil Dhadakne Do, and the latest being 120 Bahadur. For the unversed, Farhan made his directorial debut with the cult classic romantic-comedy Dil Chahta Hai (2001), starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna and Preity Zinta. But do you know that Aamir Khan refused to be a part of the movie as he was unsure about Farhan’s ability to wear the director’s cap for the first time?

Not long ago, Farhan Akhtar appeared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where he elaborated on the incident himself in response to a question asked by host Anupama Chopra.

Aamir Khan questioned Farhan Akhtar’s directorial vision

Without taking Aamir Khan’s name, Anupama asked Farhan that when he was scouting the cast for Dil Chahta Hai, there was an actor (Aamir) he narrated the script to who, although he loved the story, expressed doubts about Farhan’s ability to direct the project. ‘You said no; it is my script, and I will direct it, which is completely a Sylvester Stallone Rocky moment, true or false?’ questioned Anupama to Farhan.


Without any hesitation, Farhan admitted that it was true before playfully adding, ‘I think we should name this person also; it was Aamir Khan’, a response that prompted laughter from the host and the audience present. Recalling the moment, Farhan revealed that when he narrated Dil Chahta Hai’s story, Aamir heaped praise on the script, calling it ‘fresh’, but he had one question for Farhan: ‘Tu kaise direct karega aise, tune toh kabhi kuch banaya hai nahi (How will you direct it? You haven’t directed anything before).

Farhan Akhtar’s conviction finally won Aamir Khan over

Offering a solution, Aamir Khan asked Farhan to hand over the script to him. But when Farhan refused, Aamir simply told him to think about it. Analysing this past conversation, Farhan shared that after working with Aamir and knowing him on a deeper level, he now realised that the Dangal actor was simply testing his resolve back then. ‘I think he (Aamir) wanted to see whether I'm so immersed in it (Dil Chahta Hai) and I'm so committed to it, that it's not just something that I'm happy to just get made regardless of who's making it,’ said Farhan.

Farhan explained that when he returned to Aamir and made it clear that he had decided to direct the film himself because he did not believe anyone else could bring his vision to life in the same way, Aamir readily accepted his decision. He did not question Farhan’s abilities further or withdraw his interest in the project. Instead, Farhan felt that Aamir had simply wanted to assess how deeply committed he was to making the film. Once he was convinced of Farhan’s determination, Aamir agreed to come on board, which Farhan described as an incredible moment.

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About Dil Chahta Hai

Dil Chahta Hai centres around 3 inseparable friends, Akash, Sameer, and Sid, who face real-world strain as their contrasting perspectives on love, maturity, and societal expectations drive them down different paths. The film was a coming-of-age story about friendships, relationships and the stark realities of transitioning into adulthood. Dil Chahta Hai, which clocked 25 years on August 10 this year, won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.