When Shah Rukh Khan almost played an eunuch in a film

Shah Rukh Khan has always been known for his willingness to experiment with unconventional roles, and at one point in his career, he was set to take on one of his most challenging characters yet—that of an eunuch in the film Damriyaan. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi, the project could have added another remarkable performance to SRK’s diverse filmography. However, despite his keen interest, the film ultimately slipped through his fingers due to scheduling conflicts.
Shah Rukh Khan shared in an interview with Rajeev Shukla that he heard about the film and was immediately intrigued. Determined to be a part of the project, he sought out Kalpana Lajmi’s number through his friend and veteran actor Anupam Kher. SRK personally reached out to Lajmi and set up a meeting to discuss the role. The meeting went well, and the director was thrilled to have an actor of his caliber onboard. Everything was finalized, with SRK expressing his enthusiasm for the character and the film’s concept.
However, there was just one condition that SRK requested. Since they had met in December, he asked Lajmi if she could start filming in September, as that was the earliest he could commit, as he would be doing the film out of turn . At that point he was doing four films a year. If she agreed, he assured her that he would dedicate 60 days at a stretch to the film without any distractions. Understanding the constraints of working with a superstar’s schedule, Lajmi initially agreed to his request.
But by February, Kalpana Lajmi had a change of heart. The filmmaker decided she could not afford to wait until September to begin shooting. This led to the unfortunate dissolution of their collaboration, and SRK had to step away from the film. Eventually, Damriyaan was made without him, marking a missed opportunity for both the actor and the director.