Rakesh Roshan's Karan Arjun played an important role in changing the landscape of Indian cinema. Headlined by Rakhee, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kajol and Mamta Kulkarni, the film attained the title of a cult classic over the years. The pairing of Shah Rukh and Salman is remembered till date. But did you know the latter was never the first choice for the role of Karan? 

Rakesh, who graced the recent episode of Indian Idol 13, revealed that the role of Karan was first offered to Ajay Devgn. However, due to an unknown reason, he couldn't do it. "In Karan Arjun, Ajay Devgn was there in Salman’s role and at that time the film’s name was Kainaat, which had Shah Rukh and Ajay. For some reason, Ajay couldn’t do the film," Rakesh told. 

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After Ajay turned down the role, Rakesh took it to Salman. The filmmaker further revealed that Shah Rukh, who played the role of Arjun, also declined Karan Arjun when Ajay refused to star in it. Aamir Khan was then considered for Shah Rukh's role. However, when Salman agreed to do the film, Shah Rukh also came on board again. 

Karan Arjun was about two brothers who set out to avenge their father’s death, only to get murdered by their uncle and later reincarnated to seek revenge. It was the second-highest-grossing film in 1995. 

(Source: Indian Idol 13)