Deepika-Katrina and Anushka were the first choice for 'Raees': Shahrukh's mother-in-law had suggested the name of Pakistani actress Mahira, the pairing was a hit.

Pakistani actress Mahira Khan made her Bollywood debut with the film 'Raees' released in 2017. Mahira was cast in the lead role opposite Shahrukh Khan in the film.

However, before Mahira, the makers had also approached actresses like Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor and Anushka Sharma for this role.

In a recent interview, the film's director Rahul Dholakia told why Mahira was cast in this role after approaching such big actresses.

Mahira with Shahrukh in a scene from the film 'Raees'.

'The fees of many actresses were very high' Rahul shared this anecdote in casting director Mukesh Chhabra's podcast. Rahul said- 'We wanted to cast an actress in the film who could play the character of a Muslim girl of the 80s.

At the age of 30, you speak Hindi well and also know a little Urdu. We had approached actresses like Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor and Anushka Sharma for this role but their fees were very high.

'Sonam and Katrina's names were also considered' Rahul further said, 'We also considered the names of Sonam Kapoor and Katrina Kaif but they were not fit for this role.

We also had to cast an actress matching Shahrukh's age. In such a situation, we were looking for an innocent faced but mature actress.

Rahul Dholakia with Shahrukh on the sets of the film 'Raees'.

It was revealed that Mahira was in Mumbai that day. Meanwhile, Shahrukh's wife Gauri's mother and my mother both separately suggested Mahira's name to me. Both of them had watched Mahira's Pakistani shows.

When we approached Mahira, we came to know that she was in Mumbai at that time. We auditioned him with the help of casting director Honey Trehan and thus he was cast in the film.

Mahira's name for the film was suggested to the makers by Gauri Khan's mother and Shahrukh's mother-in-law Savita Chhibber.

It was like a dream come true: Mahira Earlier in 2016, Mahira had also talked about this at the Faiz International Festival. The actress had told that while promoting her TV show 'Humsafar' in Mumbai, she had received a call for a big film.

After some meetings and auditions, the actress was told that she has been cast opposite Shahrukh Khan. Then for Mahira it was like a dream come true.

The story of 'Raees' was set in the 80s. Shahrukh played the role of a Gujarati gangster in the film.

Shahrukh, Mahira and Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer 'Raees', released in 2017, had earned Rs 308 crore worldwide. It was directed by Rahul Dholakia and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Gauri Khan.