When Shah Rukh Khan wanted Priyanka Chopra for Happy New Year instead of Deepika Padukone

Priyanka Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan throwback

• Rumors of SRK and Priyanka Chopra's closeness sparked controversy
• Karan Johar and Gauri Khan were reportedly upset by the rumors
• SRK publicly defended Priyanka Chopra amid intense media scrutiny

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Long before social media timelines moved at lightning speed, one of Bollywood’s most whispered-about chapters revolved around Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra.

What began as on-screen chemistry in films such as Don gradually turned into one of the industry’s most discussed off-screen controversies — a saga that, even today, is remembered as a defining gossip storm of the early 2010s.

Back in 2012, reports surfaced that Shah Rukh Khan was keen to reunite with Priyanka Chopra for Farah Khan’s ambitious project Happy New Year.

At the time, industry chatter suggested that Shah Rukh Khan was eager to have Priyanka Chopra on board, especially as other leading actresses were tied up with commitments.

As per a report by Mumbai Mirror, Priyanka Chopra had reportedly been an early choice for the film before what tabloids dubbed the infamous “SRK–Gauri–KJo episode” began dominating headlines.

Rumours of Priyanka Chopra’s alleged “proximity” to Shah Rukh Khan triggered intense scrutiny, with speculation that it had caused discomfort within Shah Rukh Khan’s inner circle. The narrative snowballed, dragging in friendships and loyalties.

Karan Johar, a close friend of Gauri Khan, appeared to address the situation on Twitter at the time, writing, “Some people need to wake up and smell the KOFFEE!!! Get a reality check before its too late!!! Grow up!!! and dont mess with goodness....,” followed by, “Using their hired PR machinery and hiding behind so called "friends" to get news into tabloids is nothing but spineless and lame!!!,”.

Amid the noise, Shah Rukh Khan publicly defended Priyanka Chopra in a television interview. “To me what is most disturbing is that a lady who has worked with me has been questioned and somewhere down the line has not been shown the respect that I show her, or to all women. I think it is disrespectful and I am extremely sorry about that, sorry means not because of the things that I have done but because she is a friend,” he said.

Also Read: From Priyanka Chopra to Alia Bhatt: Bollywood actresses who presented at the BAFTAs

He added, “She was a little girl who started her Miss World crowning with me. We have shared some of the nicest moments onscreen and off it. It is extremely unfortunate for me, you know, a friendship gets a little spoilt,”.

In the years since, both Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra have charted their own global paths, with Priyanka Chopra establishing herself in Hollywood and Shah Rukh Khan reinforcing his box office dominance.