Himani Shivpuri has starred in several big commercial films in Hindi cinema. Her performance adds a unique flavour to masala entertainers, whether it is Rifat Bi in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kammo Kaur in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, or Haldiram’s wife Mrs Rawat in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Himani Shivpuri recently opened up about losing Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Kal Ho Naa Ho because she demanded meaty roles from Karan Johar.
Recently, during an interview with Siddharth Kannan on YouTube, Himani Shivpuri shared her experience of working with Karan Johar in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Himani also revealed how the ace actress did not get any offers from Dharma Productions after the 2001 film.
Himani Shivpuri recalled that while she was shooting for her sequences in K3G, she had asked Karan to give her an important role in his future project. Himani revealed that KJo expressed his gratitude for working with her after Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The popular actress said, “I told him ‘Please, give me a good role from next time’ and Karan said ‘Okay Himani ji, I have given you this role because you are my lucky mascot’.”
Himani Shivpuri further revealed that she later met Nikkhil Advani at a film screening wherein he asked her to work in Kal Ho Naa Ho. Himani then remembered that she had asked the late producer Yash Johar for her signing amount and the latter had given her a dollar. The actress sent her secretary to meet the producers of Shah Rukh and Preity Zinta’s film, however, she was told that she had no role in the film.
“Ek do films aur nikal gayi (a few more films released), I was not called. So I was left wondering kya ho raha hai (what is happening),” the Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon actress recalled.
The 63-year-old actress met Karan Johar at an award show where she asked him about the producers not contacting her for the role offered to her by Nikhil. The Kal Ho Naa Ho producer clarified the situation by saying that the role was not good enough for her and if he has a good role, he will call her.
Himani Shivpuri realised that Karan Johar might have been upset with her for asking for an important role.
Kal Ho Naa Ho starred Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan, Jaya Bachchan, Sushma Seth and Reema Lagoo.
Also read: Do you remember Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta’s younger co-stars Shiv and Jiya who are now seen in the movie ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’?
