There is no search result corresponding directly to the URL https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/when-shah-rukh-khan-almost-played-an-eunuch-in-kalpana-lajmis-damriyaan/articleshow/125032325.cms in the provided list. However, based on similar content and reliable historical coverage of this story, here is a summary of what is typically reported: Shah Rukh Khan was almost cast in Kalpana Lajmi's film Darmiyaan (also spelled Damriyaan), in a groundbreaking role as a eunuch[1][2][3]. The film explores the story of a Bollywood actress who discovers her son is a eunuch, set in 1940s Bombay[5][6]. SRK was immediately interested in this unconventional role, considering it during a period when he was actively seeking diverse and challenging characters[1][3]. After hearing about the project, Shah Rukh proactively reached out to Lajmi and met with her to finalize his involvement[3]. However, due to his busy schedule—he was juggling multiple films at the time—he requested that shooting begin no earlier than September, as he could only dedicate a 60-day window then[3]. Lajmi initially agreed, but by February she reconsidered and chose not to wait until September to begin production, leading to a breakdown in their collaboration[3]. Arif Zakaria ultimately played the role that was originally intended for Shah Rukh Khan[5][6]. The story of SRK's near-casting in Darmiyaan is often cited as an example of both his willingness to take creative risks and the practical challenges of aligning a superstar's schedule with an independent filmmaker's vision[1][3]. Had the collaboration materialized, it would have marked one of the earliest instances of a major Bollywood star portraying a transgender character[5].
Citations
1.https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/dear-shah-rukh-khan-you-announced-to-play-eunuch-in-my-film-but-never-seem-to-want-when-kalpana-lajmi-threw-srk-out-of-her-film-in-an-open-letter-after-getting-tricked/
2.https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64502151/
3.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/when-shah-rukh-khan-almost-played-an-eunuch-in-a-film/articleshow/118816058.cms
4.https://www.imdb.com/it/news/ni64502151/
5.https://www.ragalahari.com/tollywood-news-2025-may/174438/when-shah-rukh-khan-almost-played-a-transgender-role
6.https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Darmiyaan:_In_Between
7.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darmiyaan:_In_Between
8.https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/bollywood/5046544/srk-was-to-play-an-eunuch-in-kalpana-lajmi-film
9.https://m.rediff.com/movies/jun/26arif.htm
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Citations
1.https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/dear-shah-rukh-khan-you-announced-to-play-eunuch-in-my-film-but-never-seem-to-want-when-kalpana-lajmi-threw-srk-out-of-her-film-in-an-open-letter-after-getting-tricked/
2.https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64502151/
3.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/when-shah-rukh-khan-almost-played-an-eunuch-in-a-film/articleshow/118816058.cms
4.https://www.imdb.com/it/news/ni64502151/
5.https://www.ragalahari.com/tollywood-news-2025-may/174438/when-shah-rukh-khan-almost-played-a-transgender-role
6.https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Darmiyaan:_In_Between
7.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darmiyaan:_In_Between
8.https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/bollywood/5046544/srk-was-to-play-an-eunuch-in-kalpana-lajmi-film
9.https://m.rediff.com/movies/jun/26arif.htm
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This email was sent automatically with n8n