Before his successful debut with the 2003 film Footpath, Emraan Hashmi struggled to find his footing in Bollywood. A little-known fact is that Emraan was initially set to debut alongside Ameesha Patel in the 2001 film Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar. However, he was eventually replaced, leading to long-standing rumours and misunderstandings.
In a 2024 interview with The Lallantop, Emraan Hashmi revealed his version of events, claiming Ameesha Patel doubted his ability to play the role. “She thought I couldn’t pull off the role. Coming off the success of Kaho Na… Pyaar Hai, she was understandably cautious and wanted the casting to be perfect. She likely preferred a more experienced actor over someone with limited experience,” Emraan said.
This statement created a buzz, prompting Ameesha Patel to finally share her perspective around Emraan Hashmi ‘s remarks in a recent interview with Hindi Rush.
Ameesha Patel Response To Emraan Hashmi’s Remark
Addressing the long-standing rumours, Ameesha clarified, “Maine unko nikala nahi tha (I didn’t remove him). Emraan ji ka yeh bahut purana kissa hai (This is a very old matter).” She recalled Mahesh Bhatt’s comments on the matter and provided her side of the story.
She explained, “We were working on Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar, and it was a heroine-oriented film. Initially, Govinda ji was signed for the male lead, and we had even begun shooting. However, he backed out. Then, the team decided to test a new face, and Emraan was brought in.” However, during the photo session, Emraan Hashmi ’s nervousness became evident. Ameesha Patel added, “Mahesh Bhatt ji said in an interview that, ‘Ameesha itni badi star thi ki Gadar ke baad Emraan nervous ho gaya tha (Ameesha was such a big star after Gadar that Emraan became nervous), and he couldn’t perform.’”
Why Emraan Was Replaced?
Ameesha clarified that the decision to replace Emraan was not personal but based on the project’s requirements. “The team needed someone who had faced the camera before and wasn’t nervous around me. When they asked if we could replace Emraan with Jimmy Shergill, who had just done Mohabbatein, I agreed. It wasn’t about removing anyone—it was about ensuring the film’s success.”She firmly concluded, “Main kise kyu nikalu (Why would I remove anyone)? Never!”
Eventually, the film featured Jimmy Shergill opposite Ameesha Patel. Directed by Tanuja Chandra, it was a romantic drama released on November 16, 2001. Interestingly, Emraan Hashmi continued to visit the film’s sets during its production to observe the shoot and prepare for his future projects.Emraan went on to make his acting debut two years later in Footpath, marking the beginning of a successful career.
Meanwhile, Ameesha’s debut hit Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai was recently re-released in theaters, rekindling excitement among fans.
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