Akshaye Khanna Was First Choice for Taare Zameen Par

Old interview resurfaces as Dhurandhar star recalls how Aamir Khan did the film

January 6, 2026: Akshaye Khanna is currently basking in praise for his powerful performance as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar, which has made him the internet’s latest favourite. Amid the renewed spotlight, old interviews of the actor have resurfaced, including one where he revealed that he was the original choice for Taare Zameen Par, the 2007 classic that marked Aamir Khan’s directorial debut.

In an earlier interview, Akshaye explained that filmmaker Amol Gupte had approached Aamir Khan to narrate the script, intending to reach Akshaye through him. Aamir, however, insisted on hearing the story first and liked it so much that he decided to do the film himself. Akshaye recalled Aamir later candidly telling him about the decision, adding that he had no regrets as he felt Aamir delivered a superb performance.

Aamir Khan later echoed the same version in a separate interview, recalling how deeply he connected with the story and questioned why it was not being offered to him directly. He shared that Amol never imagined Aamir would want to act in the film. Taare Zameen Par went on to become one of Bollywood’s most loved films, with Aamir’s performance earning lasting acclaim.