New Delhi: Did you know that Akshaye Khanna could have starred in 'Taare Zameen Par' instead of Aamir Khan as the art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh? Aamir Khan who also directed the 2007 film 'Taare Zameen Par' was India's official entry to the Oscars that year. In an interview, Akshay Khanna spoke about how the film went to Aamir Khan.
In an earlier interview with Mid-Day, Khanna shared that the filmmaker Amol Gupte wanted to offer 'Taare Zameen Par' to him. Since he didn't know Akshaye, he asked Aamir to introduce him. However, "Aamir being Aamir, told him I cannot recommend a script unless I hear it first. So make me hear it, if I will like it, I will tell Akshaye. But he (Aamir) liked it so much, that he did it."
However Akshaye also added that he had no reservations about the role being done by Aamir Khan. When Aamir met Khanna, he told him about the film and Akshaye said,“It’s ok. No problem". As per a report, Akshaye felt he could not have done as much justice to the role as Aamir.“I don’t think I could have done a better job than Aamir. He was superb. So it was good that destiny kind of took him.”
'Taare Zameen Par' was based on a child named Ishaan Awasthi, who suffered from dyslexia. The film was about dealing with the taboo of this learning disorder and how society deals with it on a regular basis. As Ishaan Awasthi becomes depressed with the constant scoldings and negative insults from people around him, his teacher helps him find himself in the journey.
Meanwhile, Aamir Khan was recently seen in 'Laal Singh Chaddha' alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan. The film directed by Advait Chandan failed to perform well at the box office. Recently, during the promotion of 'Laal Singh Chaddha, Aamir Khan had told the Indian Express that his role from ‘Taare Zameen Par’ was one of his finest performances.“My own work, which I have liked of myself, is probably, I would say Taare Zameen Par. The character of Nikumbh sir. I find less flaws in that performance of mine.”