The 2006 blockbuster Fanaa remains a milestone in Bollywood, primarily for the crackling chemistry between Aamir Khan and Kajol. However, behind the soulful songs and intense romance, there was a layer of hesitation and a peculiar condition set by the leading lady. Director Kunal Kohli recently revealed that Kajol was actually quite terrified of performing intimate scenes with Aamir Khan, leading her to set specific boundaries before the cameras rolled.

Interestingly, Kajol was not the director’s initial choice for the role of Zooni. At that time, she had recently embraced motherhood, and her daughter Nysa was very young. Kunal Kohli assumed that Kajol might not want to return to the grueling world of films so soon. When she eventually agreed to the script, her biggest concern was working with Aamir, known for his “perfectionist” approach. Kajol feared that the intimate sequences might become awkward or over-demanding, so she placed a condition: she would only perform scenes she felt completely comfortable with, and she wouldn’t compromise on her time with her newborn.

During the shoot in the freezing landscapes of Poland, the tension was palpable, but Aamir’s professionalism helped Kajol overcome her fears. Despite being “scared” of the proximity required for the role, Kajol delivered a powerhouse performance that won her the Filmfare Best Actress award. Looking back, it’s fascinating to know that the legendary romance of Rehan and Zooni almost faced a hurdle due to Kajol’s real-life apprehensions as a protective new mother.