Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated stars, could have shared the screen with Aamir Khan in two of his iconic films, Mela and Raja Hindustani. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the actress had to pass on these opportunities, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.

Director Dharmesh Darshan, who helmed both films, recently revealed that Aishwarya was his first choice for the lead roles. Speaking about Mela, which marked its 25th anniversary, he shared, “Aishwarya was my first choice for the film. She had the grace and presence I envisioned for the character. However, she had to urgently focus on her commitments as Miss World.”

The same situation arose during the making of Raja Hindustani (1996), where Aishwarya was initially considered for the role of Memsaab. “My heart was set on her for the role,” Dharmesh Darshan admitted. “But I needed an actress who could fully dedicate herself to the film, and Aishwarya had other priorities at the time. She graciously understood the situation and moved on without any hard feelings.”

Despite not taking up the lead roles, Aishwarya still made an appearance in Mela, showcasing her professionalism. The director fondly recalled, “Even as a star who had worked with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, she agreed to do a cameo. She travelled hours just to shoot that scene, which speaks volumes about her humility.” Mela, which starred Aamir Khan and Twinkle Khanna, was released in 2000 but failed to impress at the box office. Twinkle, who played the lead, later left acting and carved a niche as a successful author.

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