Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Swades Was Originally Written for Aamir Before Shah Rukh
Swades was first planned as a movie for Aamir Khan.
It was going to be called Desh.
Aamir liked the main story but wanted changes to the script.
He was also too busy to spend enough time rewriting it.
He decided not to act in the movie and initially offered to keep producing it.
Hrithik Roshan heard the script, and R Madhavan auditioned for the role.
Shah Rukh Khan watched Lagaan and decided he wanted to work with Ashutosh Gowariker.
He became Mohan Bhargava and starred in Swades.
The film was not a big theatrical hit at first, but people later praised Shah Rukh’s performance.
Ashutosh Gowariker initially developed Swades, then titled Desh, as his next film with Aamir Khan after Lagaan.
Aamir Khan liked the plot but was dissatisfied with parts of the screenplay and lacked time to help revise it.
Aamir Khan stepped away from acting but initially offered to continue producing the film with another actor.
Hrithik Roshan was considered and R Madhavan gave an audition before Shah Rukh Khan joined the project.
Shah Rukh Khan watched Lagaan, contacted Gowariker, and eventually played Mohan Bhargava in the 2004 film.
- Who
- Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, R Madhavan, Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, and writer-actor Amin Hajee were involved in the film’s changing casting process.
- What
- Swades underwent several casting changes before Shah Rukh Khan was selected to play Mohan Bhargava.
- When
- The film was released in December 2004; the casting discussions occurred before its release.
- Where
- A special screening that influenced Shah Rukh Khan’s decision was held at Adlabs in Film City.
- Why
- Aamir Khan wanted changes to the screenplay and did not have time to help revise it, while Shah Rukh Khan later sought to join Gowariker’s next film after watching Lagaan.
- Original title
- The film was initially titled Desh.
- Original lead
- Aamir Khan was originally intended to play Mohan Bhargava.
- Director
- Ashutosh Gowariker
- Other actors considered
- Hrithik Roshan was narrated the script, and R Madhavan auditioned for the role.
- Final lead
- Shah Rukh Khan played Mohan Bhargava.
- Release
- Swades was released in December 2004.
- Later reputation
- Although it was not a major theatrical success, the film’s reputation grew and Shah Rukh Khan’s performance was increasingly praised.
