As ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan‘ completes 10 years, director Kabir Khan is opening up about casting choices that helped shape the beloved film. One such moment involves Kareena Kapoor Khan, whose character Rasika, though brief, left a lasting emotional imprint. Kabir has now revealed that Kareena was moved to tears during the narration—and instantly agreed to do the role, despite being told it was “small.”Listen to the Whole Script First: Kabir’s Pitch to KareenaKabir Khan recalled his meeting with Kareena and how he was transparent from the beginning. “I always knew Rasika was a very small character,” he said in an interview with SCREEN, “but she’s the voice of reason in the film. From day one, I was sure I wanted Kareena for it.”He remembered telling her, “It’s a small role, but you should listen to the full narration before deciding.” By the time he finished, Kareena had tears in her eyes. “She said she absolutely wanted to be a part of it,” Kabir revealed.Kareena’s Career, Choices, and the Power of ImpactKnown for choosing meaningful roles over screen time, Kareena has shown time and again that impact trumps length. Whether it was ‘3 Idiots,’ ‘Laal Singh Chaddha,’ or ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan,’ she has always trusted the story. Rasika was no different.Kareena recently completed 25 years in cinema and continues to challenge norms. She’s now working on Daayra, a hard-hitting crime thriller with Prithviraj Sukumaran, directed by Meghna Gulzar. She’s also set to surprise fans in a quirky upcoming film where she plays a ghost, reportedly opposite a much younger actor in his 20s. The film, penned by Hussain Dalal, promises a fresh twist on the ghost genre.A Role That Left a MarkThough Bajrangi Bhaijaan will forever be known for Salman Khan’s heartfelt performance, it’s clear that Kareena’s Rasika provided quiet strength and emotional balance to the story—something only she could do with such grace, even with fewer lines. As Kabir Khan puts it, “She was always my Rasika.”
