The much-awaited docuseries The Roshans was released on Netflix on January 17, 2025, and ever since then, many unheard stories of Bollywood have come to the fore. Created by Shashi Ranjan, The Roshans is a four-episode docuseries that dives deep into the three generations of 'The Roshan Family' discussing how they came from Punjab and took over Bollywood in Mumbai with their music and films. The Roshans also feature guest appearances like Vicky Kaushal, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Javed Akhtar, Asha Bhosle, etc.
The Roshans also discusses Rakesh Roshan's journey from being an actor to a Producer and finally a director. For the unversed, Rakesh Roshan could not achieve much success as an actor and Producer. Hence, he opted to be a Director. One of the most famous or rather cult-classic movies created by Rakesh Roshan was Karan Arjun. Karan Arjun was released in 1995 and it made Shah Rukh and Salman Khan two iconic Khan of Bollywood.
However, did you know that Shah Rukh Khan rejected the movie Karan Arjun when Rakesh Roshan narrated the film to him? Yes! you heard it right. The Roshans on Netflix reveals that Shah Rukh Khan wanted to do the role of Karan instead of Arjun so that he could establish his image as an action hero. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Rakesh Roshan had offered the role of Karan to none other than Ajay Devgn and he also later refused to do the movie. Below is an excerpt of The Roshans docuseries on Netflix-
Why did Shah Rukh Khan reject Karan Arjun movie and then join again?
Shah Rukh Khan in the Netflix docuseries of The Roshans said, "The story of casting for Karan Arjun is more interesting than the film itself. He (Rakesh Roshan) narrated the first scene to me. I think, two babies are born in a house, then they hold each other's hands and look at each other. I thought Rakesj ji was joking. I said, 'Doesn't happen like this. Babies cannot hold hands.'
"From that day, I didn't understand the film. I told him, 'Okay Sir count me in. I can do action scenes. I can do stunts. I don't know how to do this film. So you tell me, how to do'. He (Rakesh Roshan) said, "Yes, you are in it and so is Ajay (Devgn). I always wanted to be an action hero. No one offered me an action-hero role. So, I went to Rakesh ji. I said 'Sir, you are giving the action role to Ajay and the romantic role to me again. I will be using slingshots, while he gets to use guns. I want that role (Karan)'"
Rakesh Roshan said, "Karan is an action hero, Arjun is a romantic hero. If you change the roles, the picture will be miscast. I (Rakesh Roshan) said, 'you can change your image in some other movie. This picture requires you all to be the same as you all are. Your images'."
Shah Rukh Khan then revealed, "Then I went to Rakesh ji. 'I can't even ride a horse. How will I use a slingshot while riding a horse? I cannot do it. Please give me the other role. He (Rakesh Roshan) said 'No No, Ajay is an action hero."
'Both Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn backed out to do the film, Karan Arjun'
Rakesh Roshan said, "Then both of them backed out of the film. Ajay and Shah Rukh Khan. I was like who do I sign up now? Salman heard the story and immediately agreed to do it. When I narrated it to Aamir (Aamir Khan) he said, 'Yes, I will do'."
"When Shah Rukh found out that I am starting this movie with them, he came to me," said Rakesh Roshan.
Shah Rukh Khan said, "I was like no you have to take me in this movie. Please don't confuse me anymore."
Rakesh Roshan then revealed, "Then I went to Aamir and told him that Shah Rukh wants to do this movie."
Aamir Khan, "Yes, please go ahead, and all the best to you."