When Aishwarya Rai said she ‘would have been lynched’ if she did KKHH: ‘People would’ve said she’s back to wearing short skirts…’

Aishwarya Rai was approached by Karan Johar to play the role that eventually went to Rani Mukerji in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai but she turned it down.

By: Entertainment Desk

Mumbai | Updated: November 10, 2024 08:52 AM IST

3 min read

Aishwarya Rai on rejecting Rani Mukerji's role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. (Photos: Aishwarya Rai / Instagram, YouTube Screengrab)

From Devdas to Dhoom, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan‘s iconic characters remain timeless. She could have had another famous character to her name had she not said no to Karan Johar fearing people will point fingers at her that she is doing exactly what she did in her modelling days. Not many know that Karan Johar approached Aishwarya for the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai role eventually essayed by Rani Mukerji. While Karan had pencilled in Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol for the lead roles, he found it very difficult to find the third lead part. “I had asked everyone. Main bhikari ban chuka tha uss film mai. Eight heroines had already rejected me for Rani Mukerjee’s role. Mujhe laga, agar koi na mile toh mujhe khud short-skirt pehen ke woh role karna padega (I thought if I don’t get anyone, I might have to wear a short skirt and play the role). Nobody besides Aishwarya Rai even called me back after hearing the narration,” he said at the Talent Next event in the past.

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In a 1999 interview with Filmfare, Aishwarya had also spoken about turning down the role. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai went on to become an iconic film with Rani finding a foothold in the industry after starring in the film. “As far as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai goes, Karan Johar did approach me, but the dates he needed were committed to the RK banner film (Aa Ab Laut Chalein, directed by Rishi Kapoor). Moreover, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai belonged to Kajol. No two ways about that. Having said that, let me add that Rani Mukherjee did a terrific job,’ Aishwarya had said.

Watch the trailer of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai here:

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Aishwarya had added her thoughts too, “If I had done Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, it would have been tittered that, ‘Look, Aishwarya Rai is back to doing what she did in her modelling days – leaving her hair straight, wearing minis, and pouting glamorously into the camera.’ Ultimately, the hero goes back to the more real person. I know if I’d done Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I would have been lynched.”

KKHH went on to become a cult film that remains a fan favourite to the day. Meanwhile, Aa Ab Laut Chalein failed to work at the box office.

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