It is no doubt that Ravi Kishan smashed his role as Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar in Laapataa Ladies. In fact he even won the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards for Supporting Role in Laapataa Ladies. Did you know Amir Khan also auditioned for this role in the film? He got rejected for the role as director Kiran Rao preferred Ravi Kishan’s Shyam Manohar better than Amir Khan’s foul-mouthed, chest-scratching cop version.
In fact, Khan got rejected from his production and now the audition clip shared by Khan on his newly launched YouTube channel is making rounds over the internet. Amir Khan is seen dressed like a cop in the clip chewing ‘paan’ betel leaf while delivering his lines in a rural accent.
In an interview, Khan shared how his ex-wife rejected him for the role choosing Ravi Kishan who played the role phenomenally. He shares, “I tried to play a character in the film; she (Kiran) didn’t let me. I wanted to play the cop and even did a screen test for it, but I was rejected. I was really keen on playing that role, but Kiran and I discussed it. I think my screen test was very good, but we decided to go with Ravi Kishan. Both of us took that decision.”
In the film, Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar plays a crucial role in freeing Jaya played by Pratibha Ranta from her abusive marriage and encourages her to study showing a stark transformation in his character. Fans have shown much love to Amir Khan’s self-awareness in playing certain roles and stepping aside to give the deserving person the chance to shine. However, critics and audiences much love is directed towards Kiran Rao the director of Laapataa Ladies in choosing the right cast for the film, therefore delivering a masterpiece.
Aamir Khan auditioned for Ravi Kishan's role in Laapata Ladies but was rejected pic.twitter.com/BqHLOaRXqC
— Pinku (@pinkutalks) March 26, 2025
Fans Showing Much Love To Kiran Rao On Her Casting Decision For Laapataa Ladies
In the Indian film industry, the connection gets you roles, not your skillful acting, however, Kiran Rao’s firm stand on casting comes as a fresh breath of air. A fan says, “RGV had once said, ‘Correct casting gets half work done.’ Seeing this I completely agree. Kuch bhi bolo Mamu mei itni self awareness hai unlike Bhoi (Aamir has self-awareness unlike Salman Khan).” Another fan wrote, “Nope…. rightly rejected by Kiran and by him too. Ravi Kishan was perfect for this. If Aamir had to play, he could have done more homework and get a dialect coach to play this. But he is looking too elite for a village cop. Ravi Kishan suits perfect because he is natural in this.”
Another one writes, “Nope…. rightly rejected by Kiran and by him too. Ravi Kishan was perfect for this. If Amir had to play …he could have done more homework and get a dialect coach to play this. But he is looking too elite for a village cop. Ravi Kishan suits perfect because he is natural in this.”
Kiran Rao Shares Her Reasons For Not Casting Amir Khan
The Laapataa Ladies director shares her reasons for not casting Amir Khan for the cop role during the Asian World Film Festival, “Obviously, his screen test was good, and he really wanted to play that role. But I felt that the balance of the film would have tipped a little. Now, everyone knows that the character does a flip in the end, even though he stays kind of grey throughout the film. It shows that he has an empathetic side to him. But with Aamir, you would have expected him to do something like this in the end because he is Aamir Khan.”
So, who would you have preferred to see as Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar in Laapataa Ladies? Amir Khan or Ravi Kishan? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
