How Ayesha Takia’s Last-Minute Exit from Main Hoon Na Led to Amrita Rao’s Big Break

Farah Khan reveals the dramatic casting shift just weeks before shooting — and how a newcomer stepped in to become Bollywood’s beloved Sanjana.

Bollywood’s iconic 2004 blockbuster Main Hoon Na almost starred a different leading lady. Director Farah Khan recently shared that Ayesha Takia was originally signed to play Sanjana Bakshi, the female lead opposite Zayed Khan. Preparations were well underway — from costumes to shooting schedules in Darjeeling — when Takia chose to continue working on another project instead, leaving the film without its heroine just about two weeks before filming was to begin.

With the clock ticking, producer Gauri Khan suggested they consider Amrita Rao, a fresh face she had seen in a coffee commercial. Farah was initially unsure whether Amrita fit her visual idea for the character, but after watching her audition tape, she was convinced of her talent and screen presence. Impressed by her performance, Farah cast Amrita in the role — a choice that would become a defining moment in Rao’s career.

Farah has described Amrita’s on-camera aura as having a timeless quality, one that reminded her of legendary actresses of the past. Amrita’s portrayal of Sanjana was warmly received by audiences and critics alike, helping establish her as a prominent young actress in Hindi cinema. She has often spoken about the invaluable support and advice she received from co-star Shah Rukh Khan during the shoot, something she credits with shaping her approach to films throughout her career.

Meanwhile, Ayesha Takia continued acting in films such as Socha Na Tha, Dor, and Wanted, building a respectable body of work before eventually stepping back from acting in the early 2010s.

Though the casting switch happened under pressure and at the eleventh hour, Main Hoon Na became one of the most memorable masala entertainers of the early 2000s — and a launching pad for Amrita Rao’s enduring place in Bollywood.