Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades is now remembered as one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most acclaimed performances, but the film’s journey to the screen looked very different in its early stages. Before Khan became Mohan Bhargava, the role was originally written with Aamir Khan in mind, when the project was still titled Desh.Actor and writer Amin Hajee, who played Bagha in Lagaan and later became part of the writing team on Swades, recently revisited the film’s unusual casting history in a conversation with Siddharth Kannan.According to Hajee, Swades was conceived as Ashutosh Gowariker’s immediate follow-up to Lagaan, with Aamir once again set to headline the project. Aamir was also attached to the film as a producer through Aamir Khan Productions.“At that time Aamir was supposed to play Shah Rukh Khan’s role. It was originally Aamir, always, from the start. After Lagaan, the next film was this with Aamir,” Hajee recalled.The problem, however, was not with the basic premise. Aamir reportedly liked the story but had reservations about the screenplay and wanted to spend time developing certain elements further.“Aamir did not like some things that we had done. That version of the script he did not like. He liked the plot,” Hajee said.There was another major complication: Aamir simply did not have the time to work on the script to the extent Gowariker wanted. Known for concentrating on one film at a time, he was unable to commit to the lengthy development process while Gowariker was keen to begin his next project after Lagaan.“Aamir loved the plot. He was just wanting to work on things. But the more important thing is that he didn’t have the time. Aamir does one film at one time.”Aamir eventually decided not to act in the film, although he was initially prepared to remain involved as its producer. He gave Gowariker the freedom to cast another actor.“Aamir was very kind. Aamir said, ‘Okay, I will still produce it. You decide who you want to play that role.’”Hajee stressed that Aamir’s eventual departure as producer was a separate development and was not simply a consequence of Shah Rukh replacing him as the lead. Rather, Aamir understood that Gowariker was ready to move forward and should not have to wait for his availability.“It is not that Shah Rukh entered and Aamir exited as producer also,” Hajee clarified. “Aamir exited because Aamir understood that right now Ashutosh is raring to make his next film.”With the lead role now open, Gowariker began looking at other possibilities. Hrithik Roshan was among the actors who heard the narration, while R Madhavan also auditioned. Hajee remains particularly impressed by Madhavan’s performance during the audition.“We narrated the script to Hrithik Roshan also. Madhavan also gave the audition — and what an audition. He killed it. He is a great actor.”Then came Shah Rukh Khan.Hajee recalled that Shah Rukh was interested in watching Lagaan, which had become a major success. A special screening was arranged for the actor at Adlabs in Film City, and Hajee happened to sit beside him during the screening.The film evidently made a strong impression on Shah Rukh. By the end of it, he had decided that he wanted to work with Gowariker and take on the role that had originally been intended for Aamir.“He said, ‘I should be in Ashu’s next film. My father was a freedom fighter. I should do Desh. I should be Mohan Bhargava.’”Shah Rukh then contacted Gowariker directly and made his interest clear.“He called Ashu and said, ‘Ashu, I have to be in your next film. You are a great director. I want to be a part of your next film.’”The two already had a professional connection, having worked together previously, including on the television series Circus. After Shah Rukh came on board, he was tested for the role, and the rest became a matter of cinematic fate.“Then we tested, and I think it’s all destiny. So Shah Rukh did Swades and I became a writer, and Charlotte co-wrote it with us,” Hajee said.Hajee also remembered an intriguing comment Shah Rukh made about stepping into projects that had previously been associated with Aamir. According to the writer, Shah Rukh said he trusted Aamir’s involvement enough to take on such a film without even reading the script.“The film that Aamir couldn’t do, I did without reading the script because I knew that must be great.”He then connected the thought to another famous example from Shah Rukh’s career:“Look at the history — Darr, Aamir didn’t do, Shah Rukh did.”Released in December 2004, Swades did not make a major impact at the box office during its initial theatrical run. Its standing, however, changed considerably with time. The film gradually developed a devoted following, and Shah Rukh’s understated portrayal of NASA scientist Mohan Bhargava came to be regarded as one of the most nuanced performances of his career.What began as a project built around Aamir Khan ultimately found its defining face in Shah Rukh Khan — turning Swades into a striking example of how a film’s casting journey can completely reshape its legacy.
