Kal Ho Naa Ho’s Frankie Ramdayal Recalls Partying With Preity, Saif: ‘I Was Under-Age…’ | Exclusive – News18

Last Updated:November 14, 2024, 03:35 IST

Shivohaam says he styled himself in Kal Ho Naa Ho and is in disbelief with the love Frankie Ramdayal continues to get even now.

21 years after its original release, Kal Ho Naa Ho is all set to return to the big screen on November 15 (Friday). Needless to say, fans are beyond excited to watch the trio of Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan once again. Over the years, the film has achieved a cult status and become a favourite among cinema clubs and meme pages. The chemistry between the trio, the music album and even the secondary characters like Frankie Ramdayal, Sweetu, Guru, Jazz and Kantaben remain etched in the minds of fans.

In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, fitness coach Dheepesh Bhatt aka Shivohaam, who played the memorable and carefree DJ and Sweetu’s love interest, Frankie Ramdayal, walks down the memory and tries to make meaning of what made the character so iconic. “I still don’t understand how Frankie Ramdayal went on to become so big! One of cousins staying abroad messaged me a few years ago and told me that there’s a Frankie Ramdayal fan page on Facebook,” he exclaims.

Talking about how many people still refer to him as Frankie Ramdayal, he remarks, “It’s very surprising. People recognise me despite my tattoos and beard. I don’t know how! I wonder, where did they see the resemblance? IMDB called Frankie one of the most iconic characters in the last couple of decades. I never anticipated all this. My wife and I still wonder what was so special about Frankie. I still can’t see it. I never wanted to become an actor but the universe had this plan for me.”

So, how did Kal Ho Naa Ho happen? “I was in Jai Hind College, Bombay and I was modelling at that time. Puneet Malhotra, who was the casting director of Kal Ho Naa Ho, was a school friend of mine. He told me to come in for auditions because my look fitted with the character very well. I gave three rounds of auditions and after that, he told me, ‘Acting is, honestly, not your strongest suit.’ I told him that he didn’t have to say it because it’s pretty obvious (laughs),” Shivohaam says.

Shivohaam, in fact, reveals that he styled himself for the film. “I was told that Frankie is an ABCD. He had a goatee and spiked hair and that was my look throughout college. I remember telling Puneet that whatever said and done, I’ll choose my own clothes for the film. I was very clear that nobody else should style me. The bag, the bandana, the headphones, the jeans and the jackets were all mine,” he tells us.

Shivohaam further adds, “So, I didn’t have to act in the film. I just had to be myself. The only thing that wasn’t mine was the leather jacket I wore in It’s The Time To Disco. A lot of people asked me if I’m a foreigner. That’s also perhaps why I didn’t get auditions after that. They might have thought that I’m a UK local and there’s no point reaching out.”

One of the things he fondly remembers is his moments with the star cast of the film. But he’s quick to add that he wasn’t star struck at all. “It was definitely amazing standing next to Shah Rukh and having a drink with Preity and Saif. It felt really good but I don’t think I ever behaved like a crazy fan,” he states.

He continues, “I remember Saif and I were talking about training and he suggested that we go to the New York Sports Club, which was right next to where we stayed. We used to have these chill training sessions. Preity took us out for partying and I was under-age, just a couple of months away from turning 18. They weren’t letting me inside the club but she spoke to someone to let me in.”