Several Bollywood celebrities have authored books, offering readers an insider’s view into the hidden dynamics of the film industry. One such work is Karan Johar's memoir An Unsuitable Boy, where the renowned filmmaker divulges numerous untold stories and personal experiences from his illustrious career. Among the many revelations is a particular instance from 2003, when Karan was producing the now-iconic film Kal Ho Naa Ho. His first choice for the lead female role was none other than Kareena Kapoor, but an unusual demand during contract negotiations resulted in her missing out on what would become a career-defining project.
Karan Johar’s professional relationship with Kareena had blossomed following their collaboration on Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The two had first met at a party when Kareena was only 18 years old. Karan, immediately struck by her talent and personality, offered her the role of 'Poo,' a character that would go on to be one of the most memorable in Bollywood. Kareena's portrayal of the sassy and self-assured Poo not only catapulted her to stardom but also cemented her as one of the most popular actresses of her time.
Given their successful partnership, Karan naturally envisioned Kareena as the lead in Kal Ho Naa Ho. When the project commenced in 2003, Karan reached out to her without hesitation, confident that she would be the perfect fit for the film. However, complications soon arose. At that point in her career, Kareena had grown cautious after the disappointing performance of Mujhse Dosti Karoge, a film that had faltered under the direction of a relatively inexperienced filmmaker. The director of Kal Ho Naa Ho, Nikhil Advani, was also relatively new to the scene, which made Kareena apprehensive about taking on the project.
Despite her reservations, the turning point came when Kareena made a bold demand. In her negotiations with Karan, she requested to be paid the same fee as Shah Rukh Khan, the film’s male lead and one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. This demand, as candidly discussed by Karan in his book, was a challenge he could not meet at the time. His production house, Dharma Productions, was not in a financial position to accommodate Kareena’s request. As a result, Karan was forced to drop her from the project.
The fallout from this decision was immediate. Kareena and Karan, who had been close friends, stopped speaking for nearly a year. Their professional differences had strained their personal bond. It wasn’t until Kareena made a compassionate phone call to check on Karan’s ailing father, Yash Johar, that the two reconciled, reviving their friendship.
In Kareena’s absence, Preity Zinta was brought on board to star alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan in Kal Ho Naa Ho. Preity’s performance was lauded, and the film became a massive success. With a production budget of ₹30 crores, Kal Ho Naa Ho grossed ₹86 crores, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 2004. Preity's career soared as a result, and she became one of the most sought-after actresses in Bollywood.
