Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Cannes 2024.
Aishwarya addressed the speculations surrounding her decision to skip the film, which starred Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Abhishek Bachchan.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, known for her selective approach to choosing roles, has turned down several blockbuster scripts, including Troy, Munnabhai MBBS, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Krrish. One of her notable rejections was Farah Khan’s Happy New Year, a film that went on to become a major hit.
In an old interview with NDTV, Aishwarya addressed the speculations surrounding her decision to skip the film, which starred Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Abhishek Bachchan. “Yes, I was offered the film, and it did seem like quite a fun trip,” she began, reflecting on the missed opportunity.
Delving deeper into her reasoning, Aishwarya clarified, “I knew we would have a blast doing it, and it was going to be a fun experience. But it wouldn’t have worked out with both me and Abhishek in the film, and not being paired with each other.” The heist comedy’s narrative had Deepika Padukone paired opposite Shah Rukh Khan, while Abhishek Bachchan’s role did not have a romantic pairing. “We wouldn’t be cast opposite each other. It would have been really really weird, right? That’s why I had to decline it,” she explained.
Aishwarya, last seen in Ponniyin Selvan, directed by her mentor Mani Ratnam, is known for being discerning about her roles, particularly in recent years. Her return to the screen with the Ponniyin Selvan films was highly anticipated, given her strong role as Nandini. Her last on-screen appearance prior to these films was in 2018’s Fanney Khan.
The success of Ponniyin Selvan at the National Awards provided a brief respite from the swirling rumours about her marriage with Abhishek Bachchan. Despite the speculations and separation rumours circulating on social media, the couple has chosen to remain dignified and silent. Married since 2007, Aishwarya and Abhishek, who share a 12-year-old daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, have consistently managed to keep their personal lives private amidst public scrutiny.
