In an old interview, Aishwarya Rai addressed being removed from five films that were supposed to feature her and Shah Rukh Khan. These films, which included Chalte Chalte, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Veer-Zaara were high-profile projects that had generated excitement among fans for the pairing of these two iconic stars. However, without any explanation, Aishwarya was replaced in all of these films, a move that surprised many in the industry and left her feeling hurt and confused.
Aishwarya discussed this incident on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal where she shared her feelings about being removed from these projects. Simi Garewal brought up the fact that Aishwarya had been working on five films with Shah Rukh Khan when she was unexpectedly replaced. Veer-Zaara, in particular, was written with Aishwarya in mind. The unexpected nature of her removal made the situation even more painful for her, as she had no prior indication that such a decision was being made.
Reflecting on the experience, Aishwarya said, "There were a couple of films that were supposed to happen with me. But suddenly they weren’t happening, without any reason whatsoever. I have never had the answer to why."
When asked by Simi whether the decision to step away from these projects was hers, Aishwarya clarified that it wasn't. She explained, "No, it wasn’t my decision. You obviously are taken aback, confused, and of course hurt. You wonder about it."
The incident raised questions about the inner workings of the Bollywood film industry, where actors, despite their star power, are sometimes sidelined without explanation. Aishwarya’s removal from these films led to speculation, with many questioning the real reasons behind her replacement. Shah Rukh Khan, a close collaborator of Aishwarya’s, reportedly had to make the decision due to external pressures, though the exact details remain unclear.
Aishwarya also shared her thoughts on how this experience shaped her understanding of the film industry. "You become more aware of what you’ve heard about, like in terms of…situations, people having a domino effect on another people or other projects," she said.
Despite her initial success at the box office and her secure position in the industry, Aishwarya acknowledged that even she wasn’t immune to such incidents. She expressed a sense of humility in recognizing that this could happen to anyone in the business, saying, "It became obvious that it can happen to me too…with all your apparent box office success or ‘secure positioning’ in the industry."
This incident, however, didn’t tarnish Aishwarya’s resilience or determination. She went on to achieve tremendous success with a range of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, both in India and internationally. Her experience of being replaced in these films likely only added to her growth as an actor and a person, making her more aware of the unpredictable nature of the industry.
While Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai did eventually work together again in Devdas, their collaboration on the five films that never came to fruition remains a topic of interest for Bollywood fans. Aishwarya’s candidness about the situation has given her fans and the public a glimpse into the personal and professional challenges she faced during that time.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
