Akshaye Khanna: Aamir Khan's role in Taare Zameen Par was meant for me

Aamir Khan made his directorial debut with the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. The film was so well received  that it was India's official entry to the Oscars in 2009. Who can forget  Aamir Khan's brilliant performance as art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh? But did you know that  Akshaye Khanna was intended to play the role?

Akshaye recently revealed in an interview to Mid-Day that filmmaker Amol Gupte initially envisioned him for the role. But since the filmmaker didn’t know Akshaye personally, he waited for Aamir to  introduce them. Aamir, however, did not want to approach him before  thoroughly understanding  the script. “Aamir told Amol that he  cannot recommend a script unless he first hears it. So, he told Amol to tell him the script first, and that he would tell me about it if he first liked it,” Akshaye recalled.

Eventually, Akshaye added, that the script resonated so much with Aamir, that the 3 idiots star decided to take on the role.

But Akshaye has no resentments. When Aamir confessed to him about what happened, Akshaye said he was gracious, and assured Aamir that it was not a problem.

The Hungama actor admits that he would not have been able to get into the skin of the character  the  way Aamir had. He admits that he couldn't have done a better job than Aamir.

Taare Zameen Par is about Ishaan Awasthi, who suffers from dyslexia. He is misunderstood and mistreated by his parents, teachers and peers.It is only when art teacher Ram Shankar  Nikumbh begins to tutor him haan begins to bloom. The film is produced, directed by, and stars Aamir Khan. It was released on 21 December, 2007, and was a worldwide commercial success.

Akshaye Khanna is set to star in the sequel of Drishyam, scheduled to hit the cinemas in November, 2022.