Mansoor Khan directed the 2000 film, Josh, which is still considered a cult classic among fans, showed an intense rivalry between two gangs, the Eagles and the Bichhoos. Josh played Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, leading the Eagles, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played Shirley, his twin sister. The chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai in the film became a topic of much discussion, earning much praise. However, do you know that Aishwarya Rai was not the first choice to play the role of Shirley opposite Shah Rukh Khan? Filmmaker Mansoor Khan recently revealed that he initially approached Kajol for the role, but after she turned it down, he went to Aishwarya Rai.

In an interview with YouTube channel India Now and How, Mansoor Khan shared that he wanted Kajol to play Max’s sister in Josh. “It’s the ultimate sacrilege, after Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. After hearing the story, she got up and was ready to leave my house. I said, ‘Kajol, are you doing the film?’ She said, “No, I want to play Max.” Then she left.”

Mansoor Khan then found his Shirley in Aishwarya Rai who made sure to deliver a memorable performance.

Many are unaware that not only for the casting of Shirley, Shah Rukh Khan had also initially declined the role of Max due to casting confusion. Mansoor Khan said, “When I told the story to Aamir (Khan), he assumed he was playing Max.”

The misunderstanding initially led Shah Rukh Khan to believe that Aamir Khan had been cast in the film. However, when the fog cleared, it was Shah Rukh Khan who played Max and created history.

Josh, made on a budget of Rs 16 crore, earned over Rs 35 crore at the box office and was declared a commercial success at the box office.