Contrary to popular perception, it`s not Aamir Khan who will be seen in Lagaan director Ashutosh Gowarikar`s next film, tentatively titled Desh. Instead, it`s the other hot Khan of Bollywood, Shah Rukh, who will be playing the lead.

With Ashutosh turning into the hottest director in Bollywood, post-Lagaan, the film is a prestigious project and will go on the floors in early 2003.This is one of the few films that Shah Rukh has taken up following his back problem. His other assignments include two home productions, one to be directed by Aziz Mirza and the other by Farah Khan, apart from a film for close buddy Karan Johar, which is to be directed by Nikhil Advani.

It is believed that Aamir was the first choice for the role. But the actor who is known to work in only one film at a time is already busy with cousin Mansoor Khan`s project and Ketan Mehta`s Rising, where he is playing the historical character of Mangal Pandey.