The picture of grace and beauty, Aishwarya Rai, is well-known in Bollywood. She performed in numerous films over the years, winning hearts with her captivating on-screen persona.
The diva was one of the most sought-after actors of her era, as evidenced by her stunning appearance, elegant dancing skills, spot-on facial expressions, and everything else. But Aishwarya always made her own decisions about the films she saw and the hours she worked.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, which came out in 1998, is considered to be one of the most beloved films in Indian cinema history. In key parts were Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Kajol, making up an amazing ensemble cast. The love drama became a Bollywood classic and was filmmaker Karan Johar’s first feature film.
Few people are aware, though, that Aishwarya Rai was first asked by the director to play “Tina,” but she turned him down flat. After that, it took Aishwarya and Karan 17 years to collaborate on their first feature film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which was released in 2016.
When Aishwarya Rai was offered the role of “Tina,” she had just turned three. Regarding it, the actress stated in a previous interview with Filmfare that she turned down the opportunity because she believed she would have been “lynched” if she had accepted the role.
Aishwarya had stated: “I’m in a catch-22 situation, really. Though I’m a newcomer, I’m compared with all the senior actresses. If I’d done the film, it would have been tittered that, ‘Look, Aishwarya Rai is back to doing what she did in her modelling days—leaving her hair straight, wearing minis, and pouting glamorously into the camera.’ Ultimately, the hero goes back to the more real person. I know if I’d done Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I would have been lynched.”
While he had previously acknowledged that he had offered the part to Aishwarya Rai, Karan Johar had originally written it for Twinkle Khanna. At one occasion, Karan disclosed that he had proposed the role of “Tina” to Aishwarya Rai, Tabu, Urmila Matondkar, and other people. All the actresses, though, rejected him. Afterwards, Karan was introduced to Rani Mukerji by filmmaker Aditya Chopra.
He disclosed: “Ash was the only one who was polite to call me back. It took months to cast for Rani’s part after Aditya Chopra recommended me her name.”