Shah Rukh Khan was not the first choice for Swades. Aamir Khan was. But Aamir kept Ashutosh waiting for too long before saying no.
Gowariker -- seen here with composer A R Rahman and lyricist Javed Akhtar -- also wanted Aamir to produce the film, like he did with Lagaan.
Now, Swades is produced by Gowariker, and presented by UTV Motion Pictures.
Explains the director, "I wanted to make my type of film. With any other producer, I don't think my creativity would have got so much freedom."
"I sat with Shah Rukh for long sessions and moulded him into the character of Mohan Bhargava," he added.