According to reports, Aishwarya, the daughter of veteran actress Lakshmi, was initially approached for the role. However, her grandmother reportedly refused the offer on her behalf, a decision Aishwarya later regretted.
Mani Ratnam’s second choice for the role was Manisha Koirala, but she was under an exclusive contract with filmmaker Subhash Ghai at the time. The filmmakers also briefly considered Karisma Kapoor to play the carefree Kashmiri woman but eventually moved away from the idea due to budget constraints.
The role ultimately went to Madhoo, the niece of Hema Malini. At the time, Madhoo was not highly regarded in her acting school, which fueled her determination to succeed. She underwent a significant transformation, including weight loss and the removal of braces, to prepare for the role.
In a recent interview, Madhoo reflected on her experience working with Mani Ratnam in Roja. She admitted that, at the time, she didn’t fully credit Mani Ratnam for the opportunity, believing it was simply a character that suited her. However, she later recognised that her attitude may have strained her relationship with the acclaimed filmmaker, which is why she did not collaborate with him again after Iruvar.
Source / Image Credit : India TV News, Tfipost.com