Aishwarya Rai Opens Up About Being Dropped From Five Shah Rukh Khan Films: 'Hurt' and 'Confused'

Aishwarya Rai, a celebrated actress renowned for her beauty and talent, experienced a setback in her career when she was abruptly removed from five films co-starring Shah Rukh Khan. This unexpected turn of events left her feeling confused and deeply hurt.

The Unexplained Replacements

Reportedly, Aishwarya Rai and Shah Rukh Khan were slated to appear together in several films, including 'Chalte Chalte', 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', and 'Veer Zaara'. Fans eagerly anticipated their on-screen reunion. However, without any apparent justification, Aishwarya Rai was replaced in each of these projects. The sudden replacements sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving Aishwarya Rai perplexed and searching for answers.

A Candid Conversation with Simi Garewal

The actress opened up about this challenging period on 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal'. Simi Garewal highlighted the fact that Aishwarya Rai had been initially cast in five films alongside Shah Rukh Khan before being unceremoniously dropped. Notably, 'Veer-Zaara' was reportedly written with Aishwarya Rai specifically in mind.

Reflecting on the situation, Aishwarya Rai stated, "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."

Expressing Hurt and Disappointment

When questioned about whether the decision to withdraw from these projects was hers, Aishwarya Rai clarified that it was not. She admitted, "No, it wasn’t my decision. You obviously are taken aback, confused, and of course hurt. You wonder about it."

A Stark Realization about the Industry

Aishwarya Rai revealed that this experience provided her with a harsh but valuable lesson about the inner workings 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 explained.

Despite her established stardom and numerous box office successes, she came to the unsettling realization that job security is not guaranteed in the entertainment industry. She acknowledged, "It became obvious that it can happen to me too…with all your apparent box office success or ‘secure positioning’ in the industry."

Rising Above Adversity

Despite the pain and confusion caused by these events, Aishwarya Rai demonstrated resilience and determination. She moved forward with her career, delivering stellar performances in numerous successful and beloved films, both in India and internationally.