‘Raees’ Director Reveals Why He Chose Mahira Khan opposite Shah Rukh Khan

• Mahira Khan played a prominant role in Raees.
• The director of the film revealed the reason behind casting her.
• He wanted a female lead who could portray an 80s Muslim girl.

Shah Rukh Khan’s film Raees, released in 2017, was among the highest-grossing Hindi movies of that year. However, it ultimately fell short of expectations and is now considered an underperformer. A significant part of the film was played by Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, marking her Bollywood debut.

Director Rahul Dholakia revealed the reasoning behind casting Mahira opposite Shah Rukh Khan. He wanted a female lead who could portray an 80s Muslim girl, specifically someone in her 30s with strong Hindi and a hint of Urdu. While stars like Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, and Anushka Sharma were initially considered, they were either too costly or not suitable for the role. Other actresses, including Sonam Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, were also evaluated but didn’t fit the character.

Dholakia needed an actress who could complement Shah Rukh Khan, who was 50 at the time. He noted, “Shah Rukh Khan cannot romance an Alia Bhatt!” He sought someone with a blend of innocence and maturity.

Casting director Honey Trehan arranged an audition for Mahira, and after seeing her, Dholakia felt he had found his lead, Aasiya. Mahira recalled at the Faiz International Festival in 2016 that after promoting her TV show Humsafar in Mumbai, she received a call about a “big film.”After auditions and meetings, she learned she would star opposite Shah Rukh Khan, making it a dream opportunity.

Despite some political controversies surrounding her involvement, Mahira’s performance was well-received, and the film holds significance in both her and Khan’s careers, especially noted for their chemistry and the song “Zaalima.”

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