'Kal Ho Naa Ho', written by Karan Johar, stars Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan.
One of the most lovely, yet heartbreaking love stories of all times- Kal Ho Naa Ho, is yet eyched in the minds of the audience.
The bitter-sweet love story, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan, which won hearts not just in the country but overseas as well, clocks 15 years on November 28.
Released during the times of peak globalisation the film conned NRI's with their soil.
Wrapped in a tragic love story and friendship, Kal Ho Na Ho is an emotional roller coaster and is touted to be one of the finest romantic films.
Hence, as the film clocks 15 years today, we bring to you nine lesser known facts about the film.
Abhishek Bachchan and Vivek Oberoi were approached for Saif Ali Khan's role first. After they couldn't be signed for the film, Saif was roped in .
2. Interestingly, Preity Zinta was the 1st choice for her role too
Preity Zinta's character 'Naina' was written keeping Kareena Kapoor Khan in mind, but when the latter demanded a high fee for the role, she was replaced by Preity.
3. The song 'Pretty Woman'
Karan Johar complied with international copyright laws and bought the license to the rights to Roy Orbison's 'Pretty Woman' which is featured in the film.
4. The film was originally going to be shot in Toronto
The film was originally going to be shot in Toronto but eventually was shot in New York.
However, some parts of the song 'Kuch To Hua Hai' in the movie are shot in Toronto.
5. Little Jia's doll
The modifications and dresses of Jia's dolls in the film were made by Preity Zinta the day before the shooting of the scene.
6. Not Preity, but a model was asked to run in a scene
In the beginning we see 'Naina' running in a scene.
During the filming of the same Preity had fallen and injured herself. Director Nikhil Advani then got a model to jog in front of the camera instead.
7. Jaya Bachchan's role was first offered to Neetu Singh
Karan Johar had first approached Ranbir Kapoor's mother Neetu Singh for the role of 'Jennifer' but that didn't work out. Eventually Jaya Bachchan played the role.
8. Last film produced by Yash Johar
'Kal Ho Naa Ho' was the last film to be produced by Karan Johar's father Yash Johar.
9. Reel and Real
It was during the shooting of 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' that Karan Johar's father Yash Johar was diagnosed with cancer.
While they were shooting for the film in NYC, Yash Johar was undergoing treatment in the same city.
In the film, we see Shah Rukh suffering and then finally dying of cancer.
10. Karan Johar's brainchild
Although the film was Karan Johar's brainchild, he did not direct it. It was Nikhil Advani who cashed the opportunity and a directorial debut with the film .
Source - DNA India
