Pakistani actor Mahira Khan made a splash in Bollywood with her debut alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 film Raees. However, in a recent revelation, director Rahul Dholakia shared the surprising story behind her casting, shedding light on how Gauri Khan’s mother played an instrumental role in selecting Mahira for the movie.
How Did Mahira Khan Get The Role In SRK’s Raees?
During a conversation with casting director Mukesh Chhabra on his YouTube channel, Dholakia disclosed that several leading Bollywood actresses were initially considered for the part. The team explored options such as Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, and Anushka Sharma. Each actress had the qualities the filmmakers were looking for—fluency in Hindi and a specific innocent charm suited for the 1980s Muslim girl character. However, these prominent actresses, while fitting the requirements, posed a challenge due to their high fees and the limited scope of the role.
As Dholakia explained, the role required someone in her thirties to complement Shah Rukh Khan’s age at the time, which was around 50. Despite evaluating multiple big names, including Sonam Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, the team struggled to find a suitable match. In some cases, the role’s small size did not appeal to these high-profile actresses. The challenge was finding a balance between the character’s requirements and the stature of the available talent.
The breakthrough came through an unexpected connection. Dholakia mentioned that while the casting process was ongoing, Gauri Khan’s mother and his own mother had both watched Mahira Khan in a Pakistani television show. Impressed by her talent and screen presence, they recommended her to the filmmakers. As it happened, Mahira was in Mumbai at the time for a promotional event, and the team saw an opportunity.
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Honey Trehan, the casting director for Raees, was asked to reach out to Mahira. He confirmed her availability and arranged for her audition at Excel Entertainment’s office. After her audition, Dholakia felt confident that they had found the perfect actress to play Aasiya, Shah Rukh Khan’s love interest in the film. Her fluency in Hindi, along with the subtle Urdu inflection they were looking for, coupled with her on-screen innocence, made her the ideal choice.
Although Mahira was already a well-known figure in Pakistan, particularly for her role in the hit drama Humsafar, her casting in Raees was a significant leap in her career, bringing her talent to the attention of a global audience.
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