The beloved movie “Chalte Chalte,” starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji, remains a favorite among fans. Produced by Dreamz Unlimited, which later became Red Chillies Entertainment, the film brought immense love and admiration to its lead actors. However, few know that Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai were the original choices for the movie, and they had even started filming. But in an unexpected twist, Aishwarya was replaced by Rani Mukerji partway through production.
Aishwarya’s Unexpected Replacement
In an interview on the chat show Rendezvous With Simi Garewal, Aishwarya Rai revealed that she was replaced in “Chalte Chalte” without any explanation. This revelation surprised many fans who were unaware of the behind-the-scenes changes.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Regret
A video of Shah Rukh Khan discussing this decision has recently surfaced on Reddit. In it, Shah Rukh expressed his regret over replacing Aishwarya and shared his feelings about the situation. He spoke fondly of Aishwarya, calling her a very close friend and one of his favorite co-stars. They had worked together on notable films like “Josh,” “Mohabbatein,” and “Devdas,” and he cherished their professional relationship.
Shah Rukh said, “I was very saddened by the fact that Aishwarya was a very close friend. I have done some really marvelous films with her, and I genuinely mean that. She has been one of my favorite co-actresses, and we’ve done some really nice work together. Personally, it is very saddening not to… for something to reach this level. I feel very sorry about it, and I genuinely do.”
The Producer’s Dilemma
Shah Rukh explained that he was not the only producer for the film, which complicated matters. The decision to replace Aishwarya was made collectively by 10-11 people, as the reputation of the entire production company was at stake. They needed to complete the film within a specific timeframe and faced challenges that influenced their choice.
He elaborated, “As a producer, my hands were tied because I am not the only producer. I have a team of people, and this time we also have UTV working with us. It was a collective decision of 10-11 people. We were also not doing very well as producers, and our company’s reputation was at stake. We wanted to finish the film in three to four months. Personally, if you ask me, Aishwarya is very professional, but I think we were a little saddened by the whole affair and thought it wasn’t meant to be. It was not superstition; it was a professional decision, and even professionally, we feel very bad. There’s no two ways about it.”
Reflecting on the Past
Despite the difficult decision, Shah Rukh emphasized his admiration for Aishwarya and his sadness over the situation, especially when she parted ways with Salman Khan. The actor’s heartfelt words highlight the complexities and tough choices involved in filmmaking, even when it impacts personal relationships.
“Chalte Chalte” may have faced unexpected changes, but it continues to be cherished by audiences, reminding us of the dedication and challenges behind the magic of cinema.
