Farah Khan reveals not giving Chhaiya Chhaiya song to Shilpa Shirodkar because she was too fat, says "She was at least 100 kgs..."

Why did Farah Khan change her mind while giving Chhaiya Chhaiya to Shilpa Shirodkar?

Renowned choreographer Farah Khan has never shied away from sharing insights into her casting decisions, and one such revelation has resurfaced about the legendary song “Chhaiya Chhaiya” from Dil Se. During a chat with Karanveer Mehra on her YouTube channel, Farah confessed that she had initially thought of casting Shilpa Shirodkar for the song, but ultimately chose not to, citing concerns about her weight at the time.

Farah, who was responsible for choreographing the iconic track, shared that when she approached Shilpa Shirodkar for the role, she felt the actress might not be the best fit.

"I came to Shilpa to ask her for ‘Chhaiya Chhaiya.’ But something must have happened to her because at that time, she was at least 100 kgs. So I thought, ‘How will she get on the train? And if she gets on, where will Shah Rukh stand?’’” Farah explained.

The song, which involved dancing atop a moving train with Shah Rukh Khan, was initially offered to Raveena Tandon and Shilpa Shetty.

However, both actresses declined the offer for personal reasons. Eventually, Malaika Arora was chosen for the iconic track, and her electrifying performance became one of the most memorable and celebrated moments in Bollywood history.

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Shilpa confirmed that she had been approached for the song but was ultimately rejected because she was deemed “too fat." “I didn’t get it because I was fat. They just said that I am fat," she recalled, adding that while she was disappointed, she chose to focus on the bigger picture. “I will always feel bad that I didn’t get ‘Chhaiya Chhaiya,’ but God gave me much more, and He is still giving me."

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Shilpa Shirodkar confirmed that she had indeed been approached for the iconic song "Chhaiya Chhaiya," but was ultimately rejected because she was considered "too fat."

Reflecting on the experience, she shared, "I didn’t get it because I was fat. They just said that I am fat,"

“I will always feel bad that I didn’t get ‘Chhaiya Chhaiya,’ but God gave me much more, and He is still giving me." she added.

When asked about Farah Khan's comments at the time, Shilpa Shirodkar recalled, “She just said that we will work some other time because they are looking for someone else. ‘You are a little fatter.’ Something like this… I don’t even remember anymore. I know I missed it because I was fat.”

Despite missing out on the iconic "Chhaiya Chhaiya" song, Shilpa Shirodkar went on to have a successful career in Bollywood, starring in notable films like Hum, Gopi Kishan, and Aankhein. More recently, she made a comeback, capturing the attention of a new generation of fans through her appearance on Bigg Boss 18.

Inside the house, she displayed immense grit, resilience, and a commanding presence, earning respect from both fellow contestants and viewers. Although she didn’t win the trophy, her journey on the show only solidified her place as a respected and inspiring figure in the entertainment industry.