Shah Rukh Khan once opened up about one of the most talked-about casting changes in Bollywood history, revealing his regret over replacing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with Rani Mukerji in Chalte Chalte. The film, which became a hit, initially had Aishwarya as the lead, but production challenges and reported on-set issues led to her being replaced, a decision that SRK admits was professionally necessary but personally difficult.
SRK’s heartfelt admission
A few months ago, a video of Shah Rukh went viral on Reddit, in which he expressed his regret over replacing Aishwarya. He explained that the actress was a close friend and a favourite co-actress with whom he had shared several memorable films, including Josh, Mohabbatein, and Devdas. SRK admitted that having to let her go for the project was personally very saddening, and he felt genuinely sorry about the situation.He further explained that the decision to replace Aishwarya was not entirely in his hands. As one of several producers on the film, he had to consider the opinions of a team of 10–12 people, including the production company UTV. With the company’s reputation and the tight schedule to complete the film in three to four months at stake, the choice was made professionally rather than personally. While he acknowledged Aishwarya’s professionalism, SRK admitted that the situation was saddening for everyone involved, emphasizing that the decision was purely business-driven.
On-set issues
Aishwarya was originally cast opposite SRK in the film but was later replaced by Rani. Reports suggest that issues on set, allegedly linked to her then-boyfriend Salman Khan, caused delays and tension. Although Aishwarya and Salman later apologised to SRK, the producers, working under a tight schedule, decided to avoid potential future disruptions and moved forward with Rani Mukerji.
