Sadiya Siddiqui revisited one of the most memorable chapters of his career with an unexpected confession about ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’. The actor who played: Shah Rukh KhanNikki’s younger sister of: Kundan ShahThe beloved romantic drama, admitted that she initially resisted the role because she had no hope of falling in love with the superstar. In fact, he’s already aiming to play her romantic interest.
A childhood crush made it difficult to accept the role
When Sadiya was approached for ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’, she was already familiar to the audience through the Doordarshan series ‘Humrahi’. Director Kundan Shah cast him as Shah Rukh Khan’s brother on screen, but the young actor was not happy with the idea.Explaining why she turned down the offer in the first place, Sadiya shared with SCREEN, “When I was called for the film, I was already drowning in love for Shah Rukh Khan. It was perfect love. I can’t see anyone else. I loved him, and I still love him.”He even told the filmmaker the real reason for his hesitation.“Because I don’t have those feelings for him. And in my eyes, you’ll see the real feelings, and that wouldn’t work. I’m surprised that he has the courage to say that directly to him. So, he laughed.”
She tried to convince the director to cast her as Anna
Instead of playing Nikki, Sadiya hoped that she could portray Anna, the female lead who was later essayed by Suchitra Krishnamoorthi. Believing that she could change Kundan Shah’s mind, she arrived the next day dressed to look older than her age.Recalling the fun event, she shared, “The next day, I chose my best dress. I put on makeup and curled my hair. I looked like a cartoon, a little girl trying to look older. She didn’t give me a choice not to do the role.”Despite her disappointment, Sadiya said she eventually accepted the character and relied on her acting skills to separate fiction from reality.“It’s very difficult, but look, I’m a good actor. I have different feelings for him in my heart, but my eyes will tell a different story. My eyes will say he’s my brother.”
Shah Rukh Khan’s warmth stayed with him long after the film
Although she never confessed her admiration for Shah Rukh Khan, Sadiya said his kindness left a lasting impression. One memory he cherishes is from shooting a beach sequence, when the actor noticed he was sitting under the harsh sun.He recalled, “When Shah Rukh came back, he asked me, ‘Why are you sitting in the sun? Go, sit in the car and drink water.'”Years later, the duo met again at a dubbing studio, and Sadiya was touched that Shah Rukh recognized her instantly.“I saw Shah Rukh standing there. I thought he wouldn’t remember me. He said, ‘Sadiya?’ I said, ‘You remember me?’ He said, ‘Of course, I remember you.’ He hugged me, and I hugged him back. I will not miss that opportunity.”
Every reunion reminded him why he admired him
Sadiya also recalls meeting Shah Rukh on another professional visit, where she accidentally walked into his makeup room while looking for a bathroom. The actor said that he greeted him warmly and made him feel completely at ease.Sharing the memory, she said, “He said, ‘Hiiii! How are you? Do you want to eat?’ I said, ‘No, I already ate. I want to use the bathroom.’ He said, ‘Yes, please go.’ It is many years to meet him. So, that’s Shah Rukh Khan.”Looking back, Sadiya’s memories of ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’ are filled with laughter, nostalgia and admiration for her co-star, whose off-screen warmth, she says, has remained unchanged over the years.
