Mela director reveals Aishwarya Rai was the first choice before Twinkle Khanna, said, "people questioned me kya sir, aapne Aishwarya ko cameo diya, Twinkle ko bada role"

Mela star cast

Bollywood director Dharmesh Darshan recently opened up about the casting decisions for his 2000 film Mela on its 25th anniversary, revealing that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was originally his first choice for the lead role. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Twinkle Khanna ultimately played the central character alongside Aamir Khan. Darshan’s candid remarks shed light on the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped the movie.

In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Darshan confirmed the long-standing rumors that Aishwarya was initially considered for the role. He explained, “She was. She was also my first choice for the role of Memsaab in Raja Hindustani (1996). My heart was on her.” Darshan expressed his admiration for Aishwarya's talent and grace, explaining that he had been keen on working with her again. However, a scheduling conflict arose when Aishwarya had to prioritize the Miss World pageant, and Darshan, keen on a dedicated performer, had no choice but to move on.

“I didn’t want to take any chances as I wanted an actress who could devote her full time to film and Bollywood,” Darshan revealed. Despite the setback, Aishwarya’s professionalism was evident. “It was her sheer grace that she didn’t hold it in her heart,” Darshan continued, praising her mature approach. Although she couldn’t take the lead role, Aishwarya made a cameo in Mela, appearing alongside Aamir’s brother, Faisal Khan. Darshan recalled her willingness to participate, stating, “A heroine of her level had worked with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan—you name it. Yet, she agreed and drove a couple of hours to shoot that scene.”

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Even years after the film's release, Darshan has faced questions about his casting choices, particularly regarding the decision to cast Twinkle Khanna in the lead role. He shared that many people, especially women, were surprised by the move. “I’ve met ladies who have told me, ‘Kya sir; aapne Aishwarya ko cameo diya aur Twinkle Khanna ko itna bada role de diya!’ (What, sir? You gave Aishwarya a cameo and such a big role to Twinkle Khanna!),” Darshan recalled with a laugh. Despite the queries, Darshan remained confident in his casting decision, acknowledging that Twinkle brought her own charm to the role.

In addition to casting discussions, Darshan also shared an interesting tidbit about the film’s music. He revealed that the popular track Chori Chori Hum Gori Se was purchased by Hollywood for the film The Guru (2002). Darshan proudly stated, “In fact, I am the only Bollywood director whose three songs were purchased by Hollywood.” He also mentioned that Pardesi Pardesi and Pucho Zara Pucho, from Raja Hindustani, were featured in the soundtracks of V For Vendetta (2005) and Holy Smoke (1999), respectively, underscoring the international appeal of his films.

Twinkle Khanna, who had a brief but notable film career, retired from acting after Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (2001). She later reinvented herself as a successful author, debuting with her first book in 2015. Her literary career has flourished, with her latest book, Welcome to Paradise, released in 2023. Though her acting career was short-lived, Twinkle’s legacy as a multifaceted personality endures.