Director Kunal Kohli has revealed why superstar Aamir Khan did not even listen to the script for the 2004 romantic comedy Hum Tum, attributing it to the actor's personal turmoil during his first divorce from Reena Dutta.  In a recent interview with SCREEN, Kohli discussed the film's casting journey, which saw multiple top actors pass on the lead role before Saif Ali Khan eventually signed on.

Kohli clarified that Aamir was approached for the part but was unable to engage due to his ongoing divorce proceedings with Reena Dutta, his first wife. The couple's marriage ended in 2002 after 16 years, a period marked by significant emotional strain for Aamir. "No, Aamir actually didn't hear the script, to be fair to him. He was going through his first divorce with Reena Dutta then. So, he wasn't in the right frame of mind," Kohli explained, emphasizing that the rejection stemmed from personal circumstances rather than disinterest in the project.

Hum Tum, a loose adaptation of the Hollywood film When Harry Met Sally, went on to become a critical and commercial success, earning Saif Ali Khan a National Film Award for Best Actor and cementing Rani Mukerji's pairing with him as one of Bollywood's popular on-screen duos. Kohli noted that the film was initially offered to others, including Hrithik Roshan, who loved the script but declined due to confidence issues amid his career phase, and Vivek Oberoi, who showed initial interest but ultimately stepped away. The director's candid recounting highlights the unpredictable nature of Bollywood casting, where personal life often intersects with professional decisions.

The revelation comes as Kohli reflects on his career in recent interviews, including discussions around his work with Aamir in later projects like Fanaa. Aamir Khan's divorce from Reena Dutta was a widely reported event in the early 2000s, during which the actor took a brief hiatus from films to focus on family matters before returning with renewed focus. Kohli's comments provide fresh context to Hum Tum's behind-the-scenes story, underscoring how the film's path to success involved navigating rejections from major stars.

This anecdote adds to the nostalgia surrounding Hum Tum, which released over two decades ago and remains a beloved rom-com in Hindi cinema. Kohli's openness about the casting process offers fans insight into the challenges directors face in assembling talent for iconic roles, even for films that ultimately achieve lasting popularity.