There is a reason why the late legendary Yash Chopra was called the King of Romance. Many Indian directors feel that no one could show the passion of love as the founder of Yash Raj Films. We don't blame them for thinking so - after all, haven't we also been hoodwinked to believe that true love is just like they show in a Yash Chopra film? Blame it on his superbly engaging films like Chandni, the underrated Lamhe, Dil To Pagal Hai, Silsila, and Veer-Zara. Sui Dhaaga Star Varun Dhawan Explains Yash Chopra's Contribution To Indian Cinema!

And it is not just romance that Yash Chopra had been a master at - he has tried action in Kaala Patthar, engaging dramas like Deewar, Mashaal and Trishul, a songless thriller in Ittefaq, and psychological thriller in Darr. Actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan swear by him, while actresses would look for a chance to be a lead in his films, knowing how beautifully Yash Chopra presented them. Just ask Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. Asha Bhosle Gets Emotional as She Receives Fifth Yash Chopra Memorial Award.

On the occasion of his 86th birth anniversary, we present some very fascinating facts about 10 of Yash Chopra's iconic films.

Deewar

Yash Chopra actually wanted Rajesh Khanna to play Vijay in the film. However, writers Salim-Javed (yes, in the '70s, the writers had a say in things like casting...sigh!), who had an issue with the late actor, insisted on Amitabh Bachchan being cast and the rest, as they say, is history!

Kabhi Kabhie

While Amitabh Bachchan played Raakhee Gulzar's ex-lover in the film, his real-life parents, late Dr Harivanshrai and Teji Bachchan played her character's parents in the wedding scene. Amitabh's younger brother, Ajitabh, had played the friend of Shashi Kapoor's character in the same scene.

Silsila

Nope, we are not giving any Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha gossip here, just an observation. This is the only film where Shashi Kapoor has played Amitabh Bachchan's elder brother, as in other movies he ends up being the younger brother (even though IRL he is four years older than Big B). Also the only movie that had Jaya Bachchan paired opposite the late Shashiji.

Chandni

Juhi Chawla, a relative newcomer then, had a cameo as the dead lover of the late Vinod Khanna's character. If rumours are to be believed, she had a bigger role in the film which got edited. It is also rumoured that Madhuri Dixit and Meenakshi Sheshadri were also approached for the same role, but they didn't want to play second fiddle to the late Sridevi, who plays the lead.

Lamhe

Sridevi and Deepak Malhotra in Lamhe

Sanjay Dutt was to play Deepak Malhotra's role in the film, which could have made his first film with Yash Chopra. Interestingly, Deepak thought he was the main lead in the film before he found out, much to his shock, that it is Anil Kapoor and Sridevi's film and he only had a small role.

Parampara

This was the last film that Yash Chopra directed for another banner. The movie turned out to be a box office disappointment. Not enjoying the movie's shoot, Aamir Khan refused to play the lead in Yash Chopra's next, which happened to be...

Darr

Shah Rukh Khan, who gave one of his best performances in the film, need to thank Hrithik Roshan and Uday Chopra for this film. It was their idea, after watching Nicole Kidman's Dead Calm, that resulted in this film. Also, Ajay Devgn, Aamir Khan and Vivek Mushran (!!!) were offered the role of Rahul Mehra first. Even Sunny Deol had a choice to take whichever role that appeased him - the straight-natured Sunil or the psychotic Rahul. Well, we know what happened next!

Dil Toh Pagal Hai

Did you spot Shahid Kapoor in this Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Karishma Kapur and Akshay Kumar film? He was a background dancer in a song. He also appeared in a similar capacity in Taal.

Veer-Zaara

Even though Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta have worked in four films (Dil Se, Veer Zara, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, not counting the cameos in other films), it's only in Veer-Zara that their pairing had a happy ending. Interestingly, their characters were engaged in Dil Se and married in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan

Yash Chopra's swansong had some unusual peculiarities. It has Shah Rukh Khan's first onscreen kiss (he had a kissing scene in Maya Memsaab which was deleted). It was the first movie where AR Rahman scored music for a Yash Chopra film. It is also the only SRK movie to be a hit that has an AR Rahman score. A couple of other Yash Chopra staples like a Swiss Alps shot and a Lata Mangeshkar song were missing.

Have you any other interesting facts about any Yash Chopra movie to share? Use our comments section to enlighten us and other readers!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2018 08:41 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).