Entertainment: Dil Chahta Hai was one of the highest grossing films of the year 2001. This film won the National Award for Best Feature. The story was about three boys Akash (Aamir Khan), Siddharth (Akshay Khanna) and Sameer (Saif Ali Khan).

Akash who does not believe in love, Sameer who falls in love with every girl and Siddharth who is mature and serious by nature. All three stars portrayed their characters brilliantly on screen. But do you know that Aamir khan was first chosen for the role of Siddharth in the film.

Akshay got Aamir's role

Dil Chahta Hai director and writer Farhan Akhtar has revealed that Akshaye Khanna's role of Siddharth in the film was first offered to Aamir Khan, but he refused to play the role. In a conversation with Faye D'Souza, Farhan said, "Akshaye Khanna was kind to me. When I met him for Dil Chahta Hai, I offered him the role of Akash, which Aamir did."

Abhishek-Hrithik rejected the film

After casting Akshay for the role of Akash, Farhan akhtar also offered the roles of Siddharth and Sameer to Abhishek Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan, but they did not take it up. Farhan said, "When I approached Akshay at that time, I wanted to take two other young actors, so I approached Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan, who had just done one film at that time but they had some other plans. So it did not happen. Then I had to take actors of a slightly older generation for Dil Chahta Hai." 

Akshay backed out due to Aamir's demand

Farhan Akhtar further added, "After knocking at every door, I showed the script to Aamir. He told me that since he has done some serious roles, he wants to play the role of Akash. Akshay calmly told me that he loved the film and he knew it should be made. He said, 'I will play that role.' It is very difficult to find actors who leave roles so gracefully."