While we already have many movies where these Aishwarya Rai and Shah Rukh Khan are the lead pair, we did lose a potential collaboration because of Salman Khan.
Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan took over Bollywood with their amazing on-screen chemistry. The two are among the biggest stars in Bollywood and have worked together in several films like Devdas, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Josh, and Mohabbatein. They delivered wonderful performances in these movies, leaving fans eagerly waiting to see them together in more films.
While we already have many movies where these two are the lead pair, we did lose a potential collaboration because of Salman Khan. Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai fell in love with each other, but things did not work out between them, and eventually, they parted ways. During the time they were in a relationship, it brought many difficulties to Aishwarya Rai’s career. Shah Rukh Khan once shared how Aishwarya Rai was the first choice for the 2003 film Chalte Chalte.
SRK’s Chalte Chalte stars Rani Mukerji, but did you know that Aishwarya Rai was originally cast for the role but was replaced because of her boyfriend Salman Khan?
Aishwarya Rai was replaced in SRK’s Chalte Chalte due to her feud with ex-boyfriend Salman Khan. Shah Rukh Khan revealed that while they were shooting for the film, Salman Khan caused a ruckus, making it difficult for Aishwarya and SRK to shoot their scenes. In the end, Aishwarya had to be replaced with Rani Mukerji. In a viral video, Shah Rukh Khan is seen talking about the whole incident, where he also apologizes to his good friend Aishwarya Rai.
He stated, “Yes, obviously, I am very saddened by the fact that Aishwarya was a very close friend. I have done some really marvelous films with her, and I genuinely mean that. She has been one of my favorite co-actresses, and we’ve done some really nice work—Josh, Mohabbatein, Devdas—and enjoyed ourselves together, and we get along really well. Personally, it is very saddening not to… for something to reach this level. I feel very sorry about it, and I genuinely do.”
He further added how it was not entirely up to him to cast her. He revealed, “As a producer, my hands were tied because I am not the only producer. I have a team of people, and this time we also have UTV who is working with us. The collective decision of 10-11 people was also at stake. We were not doing very well as producers at the time.
Personally, if you ask me, Aishwarya is very professional, but I think we were a little saddened by the whole affair, and we thought it wasn’t meant to be. It was not superstition; it was a professional decision and even professionally, we feel very bad. There are no two ways about it.”