On June 13, ‘Chalte Chalte’, starring Shah Rukh Khan, which hit theaters in 2003, will mark another anniversary. Although the romantic drama was a commercial success, it is often remembered for the controversy that arose long before its release. The film was linked to the fallout between two of Bollywood’s biggest stars. Rani Mukerji and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Originally she was a different female protagonist
According to NDTV, before Rani joined the project, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was already signed as the female lead in ‘Chalte Chalte’. agreed Shah Rukh KhanUnder the production banner Dreams Unlimited, the film started shooting with Aishwarya in front of the camera.At that time, his relationship with Aishwarya Salman Khan frequently appearing headlines. Industry reports and Bollywood gossip columns said that repeated breaks in the sets posed challenges for the production. As the situation attracted more attention, the makers finally decided to go ahead with a new lead actor.
Rani Mukerji was initially not interested in the offer
Interestingly, Rani Mukerji was not immediately convinced to join the film. Reports at the time suggested that the character had similarities to the role he played in “Saathiya” recently.The filmmakers considered several options before finalizing the casting. Kajol was reportedly approached but decided not to take up the project. Ameesha Patel’s name was also linked to the role. Eventually, Rani agreed to come on board and became the star of Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Chalte Chalte’.At that time, Rani and Aishwarya were often seen sharing a warm friendship and were considered among the closest friends in the industry. However, Rani’s inclusion in the film sparked intense speculation.Many reports claimed that Aishwarya was hurt by the turn of events, especially as the role finally went to someone she considered a close friend. Although the two actors haven’t discussed every aspect of the situation publicly, industry insiders have often pointed to the moment when “Chalte Chalte” began to strain their friendship.
‘Chalte Chalte’ was a hit, but the story behind it survived
When ‘Chalte Chalte’ hit the theatres, the audience embraced the chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. The romantic drama performed well at the box office and garnered appreciation for its music and performances.However, over the years, conversations surrounding the film often returned to its troubled casting history rather than its commercial success. More than two decades later, “Chalte Chalte” continues to be remembered not only as a beloved romantic drama, but also as the film that became synonymous with one of Bollywood’s most controversial friendship romances.
