Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on rejecting iconic role in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's illustrious career, spanning over two decades, has seen her turn down numerous high-profile projects that didn't resonate with her artistic sensibilities.

Among these was Karan Johar's iconic film "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai," where she declined the role of Tina Malhotra, originally played by Rani Mukerji. This character was pivotal as Shah Rukh Khan's initial love interest in the film.

In a candid conversation with Filmfare, Aishwarya revealed her reasons for rejecting the offer. She expressed concerns about potential criticism, fearing that audiences and critics would typecast her.

She remarked, "Had I accepted the role, people would have said, 'Oh, Aishwarya Rai is back to her modeling antics—straight hair, mini-dresses, and glamorous pouts.' Ultimately, the storyline favors a more grounded character. I knew doing Kuch Kuch Hota Hai could have invited severe backlash."

Interestingly, before Rani Mukerji's memorable portrayal, the role of Tina was also declined by well-known actresses like Twinkle Khanna, Urmila Matondkar, and Tabu, each for their own reasons.

Rani Mukerji's interpretation of Tina Malhotra remains one of her career highlights, endearing her to audiences worldwide and contributing significantly to the film's status as a cult classic in the romantic comedy genre.

On the professional front, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's latest cinematic venture was in "Ponniyin Selvan: II," which was released in 2023.