There are times when a movie’s off-screen story is as interesting as its on-screen story. Hum Tum is one such movie, a light-hearted romantic comedy that not only won hearts but also changed careers and sparked debates.
Directed by Kunal Kohli and produced by Yash Raj Films, the film starred Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji. But interestingly, Saif Ali Khan wasn’t the first choice for the lead role.
Kunal Kohli revealed that Aamir Khan never actually heard the script at the time, as he was going through a difficult personal phase (divorce with Reena Dutta) and wasn’t in the right mindset to take on new projects. On the other hand, Hrithik Roshan loved the script and even believed it had great potential. However, he chose not to take it up because he lacked confidence at that point in his career, especially after some of his previous films (Mein Prem Ki Diwani Hoon & Mujhse Dosti Karoge) didn’t perform as expected.
There were also discussions with Vivek Oberoi, who was a rising star then, but things didn’t work out for various reasons. Eventually, the makers finalised Saif Ali Khan and that decision turned out to be a game-changer.
Before Hum Tum, Saif was often seen in supporting roles or multi-starrer films. But his portrayal of Karan Kapoor, a charming, flawed and relatable character, struck a chord with audiences. The film’s modern take on relationships, mixed with humour and emotional depth, made it especially popular among urban viewers.
The impact didn’t stop there. In 2005, Saif Ali Khan won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance, marking a major milestone in his career. However, the win also led to widespread debate. Many felt that while his performance was enjoyable, it didn’t match the intensity usually associated with National Award-winning roles.
Comparisons were drawn with performances by Shah Rukh Khan in Swades and Amitabh Bachchan in Black, both of whom were seen as strong contenders. There were also murmurs about possible bias in the jury, which added to the controversy.
Kunal Kohli, however, kept his stance simple. He clarified that his role was limited to directing the film and bringing out the best in Saif Ali Khan’s performance. He implied that the final decision rested with the jury, led by Sudhir Mishra.
Over time, the controversy faded but Hum Tum continues to be loved for its storytelling and performances. For Saif Ali Khan, the film and the award remains a turning point that reshaped his career and proved his place as a leading man in Bollywood.
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