When Aditya Chopra had revealed that Yash Chopra and him didn't like Shah Rukh Khan initially: 'Neither of us were very impressed'

Shah Rukh Khan has been a part of several Yash Raj Films ’ blockbusters made by Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra . The superstar’s bond with the father-son duo goes back to Darr when he was first cast in a negative role in the movie which also starred Juhi Chawla . While The superstar’s performance became the talk of the town leading to an unbreakable bond with Yash Raj Films, Aditya Chopra had once revealed in an interview for a book on the actor how neither nor his father Yash Chopra were very impressed with Shah Rukh when the originally considered him for the movie.

The book titled ‘SRK 25 Years of A Life’ co-authored by Samar Khan and Sonali Kokra, had Aditya recalling how his relationship with the star slowly evolved and became a lifelong friendship. Shah Rukh went on to be a part of Aditya’s directorial debut Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and subsequently all the other films he helmed barring Befikre .

“Just like the character of Raj, my relationship with Shah Rukh has also evolved over the last two decades. When we cast him for Darr, to be honest, neither dad, nor I really liked him. He was working on Rakesh Roshan’s King Uncle then and we had managed to get our hands on the reel of some footage. Neither of us were very impressed but somehow, maybe because everyone kept rejecting the negative part, we ended up signing him,” Aditya has said in the book.

The star also was the lead in Yash Chopra romances like Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Veer Zaara , and even his last film ever Jab Tak Hai Jaan .

Aditya went on to speak about the evolution of their friendship and added that the world have only seen about ten percent of Shah Rukh’s talent while ninety percent of it remains untapped. “Over the years, as a producer, a director and a friend, I have seen Shah Rukh perform multiple characters and portray all kinds of emotions. But I’ve always felt, and still feel that Shah Rukh doesn’t laugh whole-heartedly. His laughter never reaches his eyes. Somehow, it’s always a bit hollow, a bit fake. I think that maybe that has something to do with the fact that he lost his parents very early in life. I don’t think he ever got over that loss. As an actor, I think he is the best actor in the whole world and that we’ve seen only 10 per cent of his talent. That 90 per cent is still to come and blow us away…As a filmmaker and a friend, I hope that soon, he is offered roles that tap into the remaining 90 per cent. l hope I can give him roles that tell the world, ‘’You’ve seen Shah Rukh the superstar, now see Shah Rukh the actor,” Aditya had added.

Shah Rukh Khan will be making his comeback in the Yash Raj backed Pathan which is still under production. Today marks the anniversary of Shah Rukh and Aditya’s third collaboration Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi . The film which launched Anushka Sharma had released in the year 2008 and has clocked 13 years today.