June 13 marks another anniversary of ‘Chalte Chalte’, the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer that arrived in theatres in 2003. While the romantic drama went on to become a commercial success, it is often remembered for a controversy that unfolded long before its release. The film became linked to the reported fallout between two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Rani Mukerji and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
A different leading lady was originally cast
According to NDTV, before Rani stepped into the project, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had already been signed as the female lead of ‘Chalte Chalte’. Backed by Shah Rukh Khan‘s production banner Dreams Unlimited, the film had even begun shooting with Aishwarya in front of the camera.At the time, Aishwarya’s much-publicised relationship with Salman Khan frequently made headlines. Industry reports and Bollywood gossip columns claimed that repeated disruptions on the sets created challenges for the production. As the situation attracted increasing attention, the makers eventually decided to move ahead with a new leading actress.
The offer that initially didn’t interest Rani Mukerji
Interestingly, Rani Mukerji was not immediately convinced about joining the film. Reports from that period suggested that she felt the character bore similarities to the role she had recently played in ‘Saathiya’.The filmmakers explored several options before finalising the casting. Kajol was reportedly approached but chose 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 Shah Rukh Khan’s co-star in ‘Chalte Chalte’.At the 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, particularly because the role eventually went to someone she considered a close friend. While neither actress publicly discussed every aspect of the situation, industry insiders frequently pointed to ‘Chalte Chalte’ as the moment their friendship began to drift apart.
‘Chalte Chalte’ became a hit, but the story behind it lived on
When ‘Chalte Chalte’ finally hit theatres, audiences embraced the chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. The romantic drama performed well at the box office and earned appreciation for its music and performances.Yet, over the years, conversations surrounding the film often returned to its turbulent 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-discussed friendship fallouts.
