Table of Contents
Preity Zinta in Jab We Met! When we think of Jab We Met, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Kareena Kapoor Khan as the bubbly and unforgettable Geet, alongside Shahid Kapoor’s quiet yet intense Aditya Kashyap. However, what if we told you that director Imtiaz Ali originally envisioned a completely different pair—Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta in Jab We Met?
Who Were the Original Choices for Jab We Met?
Before Kareena and Shahid, Imtiaz Ali had Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta in mind as his dream leads for Jab We Met. Bobby Deol, a close friend of Imtiaz, was initially set to play Aditya, while Preity Zinta was considered for Geet.
Why Didn’t Preity Zinta and Bobby Deol Star in the Film?
Despite being a promising script, Jab We Met faced multiple rejections from production houses and actors alike. Imtiaz Ali recalls that it was the most rejected script of his career.
Preity Zinta was interested in playing Geet but requested a six-month break before committing to the film.
Bobby Deol, though keen on the project, moved on to other films as years passed and the film remained unmade.
Meanwhile, Imtiaz Ali continued to pitch the script until he finally found his leads.
How Did Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor Come Onboard?
Kareena Kapoor initially refused to meet Imtiaz Ali for the film. However, she later agreed—on one condition: Bobby Deol had to be replaced with her then-boyfriend Shahid Kapoor.
Interestingly, Imtiaz Ali wasn’t convinced about Shahid Kapoor at first, considering him a “forgettable actor.” But after meeting him, he saw Shahid’s potential for the role of Aditya, and the rest is history!
Bobby Deol Was Replaced Without Being Informed
https://lifey.media/ar-rahman-hospitalised-health-news-oscar-winnning
One of the more shocking revelations was that Bobby Deol was replaced without being informed. He has since expressed his disappointment, stating that he had envisioned himself playing Aditya but was left out of the final casting decision.
Preity Zinta Was the First to Recognize the Film’s Potential
Despite not being in the film, Preity Zinta was the first person to truly appreciate Jab We Met. Imtiaz Ali shared that when he narrated the script to her, she laughed—not to mock him, but because she genuinely found it funny.
“That was the first time somebody had complimented the film. So I owe it to her, and whenever I meet her, I give her a special hug and thank her for being the first person to tell me the film was okay,” Imtiaz Ali revealed.
What If the Original Cast Had Been Retained?
While we will always remember Kareena and Shahid as Geet and Aditya, it’s fascinating to think about what Jab We Met could have looked like with Preity Zinta and Bobby Deol.
The film, made on a budget of ₹15 crore, went on to earn ₹50.9 crore worldwide, becoming one of Bollywood’s most beloved rom-coms. Even after 17 years, its dialogues, music, and Geet’s iconic fashion choices continue to be part of pop culture.
What do you think? Would Preity Zinta and Bobby Deol have been as iconic as Kareena and Shahid? Let us know in the comments!
