Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi-6 (2009) remains one in all Hindi cinema’s most lyrical dramas – a layered story of identification, belonging, and the emotional chaos of Historical Delhi. At its coronary heart turned into Roshan, an NRI rediscovering his roots amid bustling gullies, faith, exertion, and fragile humanity.
Abhishek Bachchan stepped into the role and delivered a quietly extremely effective efficiency. His restrained vulnerability gave the movie its emotional anchor, helping audiences connect with Roshan’s internal struggle whereas elevating the movie’s social message.
Must Study: Imran Khan’s surprise return in Tickled Patel is pushed by joy, now no longer stardom!
However what if the role had long gone to any individual else?
The Actor Who Almost Headlined the Film
Years earlier than the cameras rolled, Imran Khan turned into reportedly in opponents for the same section. After impartial now no longer too prolonged previously returning to screens with Tickled Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos following a decade-prolonged damage, the actor unfolded about ignored opportunities from earlier in his occupation.
For the length of a candid chat, he revealed that he had been even handed as for several ample initiatives – some of which never materialised. One of them turned into Delhi-6.
Auditions, Hopes, and a Shut to Omit!
Imran shared that both Rohit Shetty and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra had approached him spherical 2006-2007. He auditioned, hopeful that one in all these movies would change into his ample damage.
Speaking about the Mehra mission, he recalled, “At various points, there have been various films that have just not come together. With Mehra, it was ‘Delhi 6’. At that point, I had not made any films; I tested for the (lead role) film. But at the time, they didn’t want to put the money on a new person, on an untested, unproven person.”
Eventually, the makers selected a extra established face, and the role went to Abhishek Bachchan. Why The Story Felt Non-public For Imran, the movie wasn’t merely one other audition- it resonated deeply with his gather existence.
He defined, “I was born in the States, and I grew up kind of a child of two worlds. So, I related to those things. So, my instinct beforehand, and even after, was, ‘That would have been a cool film to have been a part of.’ I would like to have been in that film,” he said.
The narrative of an Indian-initiating put boy returning house mirrored his gather unsuitable-cultural upbringing, making the chance worthy extra meaningful.
The Heartbreak of Shedding the Characteristic
Despite knowing the producers’ decision, the rejection stung. Imran admitted, “The movie has veteran reasonably successfully. Even support then, I turned into very enraged to collect been a section of it; I did want the section very worthy. I turned into reasonably devastated that I didn’t accumulate the section. However I bet having a look on the scale of the movie and the cost range, they wished a identified particular person. This turned into earlier than ‘Jaane Tu…’, released,” he added.
Looking back, the casting choice makes industry sense – Delhi-6 was mounted on a grand scale, and the producers opted for a bankable star.
Also Check: Imran Khan comeback film a surprising sequel? Returns with a story set 15 years later!
The Film That Finally Happened
While Delhi-6 slipped through his fingers, Imran has now returned with Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, directed by Vir Das and Kavi Shastri. The film features Vir Das, Mithila Palkar, Mona Singh, and others, and released in theatres on January 16, 2026. For fans, it marks a fresh chapter for the actor – proof that missed roles sometimes lead to unexpected comebacks.
