Saif Ali Khan nearly sleepwalked into Hum Tum. But a timely reality check from director Kunal Kohli changed everything.
As the beloved romantic comedy clocks 22 years, Kohli opened up to NDTV about the film's behind-the-scenes drama, revealing he'd warned Saif not to become "the second lead to SRK." That nudge worked.
Saif needed to understand this wasn't a supporting role. The actor, accustomed to being the lead, took the romantic role seriously — and the film became a defining moment for his career.
Getting Saif and Rani Mukerji on the same page was difficult. The two stars weren't close off-camera, yet their chemistry on screen was magnetic. That tension translated into unforgettable moments.
Rishi Kapoor agreed to play Saif's father despite his reservations about the project — a testament to Kohli's ability to persuade.
One actor disengaged, one miscast role, one missed conversation, and Hum Tum could have been forgotten instead of becoming a beloved classic that defined millennial romance.
Hum Tum proved that a director's warning can matter as much as any contract.
