When Aishwarya Rai Admitted She Was Removed From Multiple Films By Shah Rukh Khan: ‘They Weren’t Happening Suddenly…’

Aishwarya Rai, who is one of the celebrated actresses since 90s and the 1994 Miss World, has turned 52 on November 1. For over two decades, the actress has been one of the biggest names in the Hindi film industry. But there was a time she had faced some hurdles in her career. As per reports, Aishwarya was removed from five films which were opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Reports suggest that she was never given an explanation for being ousted from the projects.

Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai had already shared screens in movies like Mohabbatein, Devdas and Josh. Their chemistry was immensely loved by the audience at that time. However, due to the reported professional disagreement in their careers which is said to be the reason for Shah Rukh Khan excluded the actress from the movies in which he played the lead roles. In Simmi Garewal’s show, Aishwarya even admitted that she was removed from multiple films. During the conversation, Simi asked her why she was excluded from five films, featuring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead, including Veer Zaara. The actress took a long pause and said, “How can I have the answer to that?” She also added, “Yes, at the time, there was talk of a couple of films that we would be working in together. And then, suddenly they weren’t happening, without any explanation whatsoever. I have never had the answer to why.”

Simmi Garewal then added that Shah Rukh Khan expressed regret in an interview and had said that it was because he got involved in her personal life, which he admitted that he should not have. Aishwarya said, “I don’t have the answer to that.” The actress stated that it wasn’t her decision not to do the films.

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When asked how it felt to be removed from such big projects, Aishwarya then said, “See, at the time, when you have no explanation, you’re obviously completely taken aback, and confused, and hurt. You wonder about it.” The host then asked if she ever questioned about the same to Khan, the actress quipped, “It’s not in my nature to. If a person feels a need to explain it, they will. If they never did, they never intend to. So, it's not in my nature to get into questioning what and why. Probably within myself, but I wouldn’t go up to a person and ask why. By the grace of God, I’m not defined by the other.”

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In a 2003 interview, Shah Rukh told India Today, “To start a project with someone and then change her for no fault of hers is very difficult. It is very sad as Ash is a good friend. Personally, I think I did wrong. But as a producer, it made sense. I apologised to Ash.”

Aishwarya and Shah Rukh last appeared in the 2016 movie, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. In the film, Rai had a important part whereas Khan had a guest appearance.