the role of Max Dias, but things didn't work out as he was dating the actress, and he signed on Shah Rukh Khan. Mansoor Khan has revealed he was keen on bringing Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan together for his film Josh, but the latter rejected the film. Aamir Khan was apparently offered the role of Rahul Sharma. "Aamir Khan wanted to change the image and he no longer wanted to play the lover boy or romantic hero Rahul Sharma," Mansoor Khan told reporters. Mansoor also offered the role of Shirley to Kajol, who declined. Actor Puneet Vashist, who played the role of Michael in the film, has since claimed that his screentime, as well as that of fellow co-actors Aishwarya Rai, Sharad Kapoor & Chandrachur Singh, was reduced in the editing room, with Vashist claiming that almost fifty per cent of his scenes were cut out. Filming began in March 1999. Music A. R. Rahman was signed in as the music composer first, but he opted out, due to scheduling conflicts with other films. After Rahman opted out, Mansoor Khan roped in Anu Malik to complete the music fast, and release the film on time. According to the Indian trade website Box Office India,. The song "Hai Mera Dil" is based on "Sealed with a Kiss" written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld, and "Djobi Djoba" performed by Gipsy Kings. Reception Box office Josh grossed in India and $1.127 million (5.01 crore) in other countries, for a worldwide total of , against its budget. It had a worldwide opening weekend of , and grossed in its first week. It is the 6th-highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2000 worldwide. In India, the film opened on Friday, 9 June 2000, across 300 screens, and earned nett on its opening day. It grossed nett in its opening weekend, and had a first week of nett. The film earned a total of nett, and was declared "Average" by Box Office India. It is the 5th-highest-grossing film of 2000 in India. Among overseas territories, Josh had an opening weekend of $575,000 (2.55 crore) and went on to gross $800,000 (3.56 crore) in its first week. The film earned a total of $1.127 million (5.01 crore) at the end of its theatrical run. Overseas, It is the 9th-highest-grossing film of 2000. Critical reception The film received mixed reviews from critics. Planet Bollywood gave the film