'Kal Ho Naa Ho' remains one of the most cherished films in Preity Zinta's career. Interestingly, the role that became so closely associated with her was initially offered to Kareena Kapoor Khan, who has previously acknowledged missing out on the film.
An old clip from Koffee With Karan has resurfaced online, showing Preity's candid reaction to Kareena's comments about turning down the film. Directed by Karan Johar, the film reportedly went to Preity after Kareena asked for remuneration on par with Shah Rukh Khan.
During the chat show, Karan asked Preity, "Kareena was the first choice for the film, so how did you feel, actually, you know, stepping into Kareena Kapoor's shoes for the film?"
Preity responded with a memorable analogy and said, "I mean, you go to a store, you try on a pair of jeans, and they fit you well. But if you don't buy them, it doesn't mean they're your jeans. The next person who comes, tries them on, and buys them, they belong to that person."
She further added, "I remember when you called me, and I said, 'Okay, can I hear the script?' Once I heard the script, I was like, 'Why doesn't Kareena want to do this film?' And then it was all over the place, Kareena was the first choice, Preity Zinta was the second choice. And Kareena was saying that, 'I said no to it'. So I said, 'Okay, thank you, Kareena. It doesn't matter, any which way, this film was in my destiny'."
Also present on the episode was Saif Ali Khan, who was asked by Karan, "And did you think Kareena or her would have been, who would have been the better Naina?"
Saif replied, "I mean, now that I've seen the film, I can't imagine anyone else except Preity leading that part."
The casting saga reportedly led to a fallout between Karan Johar and Kareena Kapoor Khan, straining their friendship for years. The two eventually reconciled when they collaborated again on Kurbaan, which also starred Saif Ali Khan.
