Aamir Khan passed on 'boring' Swades, Shah Rukh Khan made it iconic — here's the backstory

Aamir Khan recently discussed his decision to pass on Swades, a role that Shah Rukh Khan went on to become immensely popular for. The 2004 film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker was well-received by critics for its insightful societal critique and realistic plot. Swades, though, lost Aamir's interest during the opening narration, he claims.

Origin of Lagaan during Swades shoot

The idea for Swades (then called Kaveri Amma) was suggested by Gowariker while filming Lagaan, as Aamir remembered in an interview with Zoom. The superstar announced, "I had liked the story very much. I said we’d make that one after Lagaan. After Lagaan released, we made Ashu sit with a writer. AKP (Aamir Khan Productions) was producing it."

But Aamir still wasn't persuaded when the last narrative took place. He revealed, "When the story was ready, Ashu narrated it to me. It was a three-hour-long narration. When he asked me how I liked it, I said I want to tell you my first reaction first. I said, ‘I got bored. It’s very important for you to hear this reaction. What you’re trying to say is very correct, noble, and important, but if you say it in such a boring manner… I got bored; I don’t know about everyone else'."

Original title and early pitch

Aamir continued, "I had said this to Ashu when he narrated the story to me. In fact, I’ll tell you Ashu narrated the story to me when we were making Lagaan. It was titled 'Kaveri Amma' then. That’s what he told me."

ALSO READ: 20 Years Of Swades & The Search For A Self 

The superstar eventually decided he didn't want to be a part of it and also never saw the finished product. He said, "I’ve actually not seen the film yet. Maybe he’d have corrected it and people would’ve liked it then. I did note that people loved Shah Rukh’s work in it."

Shah Rukh Khan's acclaimed role and film details

Gowariker and UTV Motion Pictures collaborated on the production of the film, which centred on NASA scientist Mohan Bhargava's journey back to India to re-establish his family connections. Shah Rukh Khan played the lead, and Gayatri Joshi made her acting debut in the supporting part.

Shah Rukh's recent blockbusters, Pathaan (directed by Siddharth Anand) and Jawan (directed by Atlee), were both released in 2023, but Aamir claimed he hasn't watched either of them. He did, however, admit that he had enjoyed SRK's previous films. He thought Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was fantastic. Aamir recently stated at an event that he considers Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to be one of his favourite films.