Throwback: When Aishwarya Rai Opened Up About SRK Dropping Her From Several Films 'With No Explanation'

In her second interview with Simi Grewal, Aishwarya Rai opened up about how she was dropped from several films that she was supposed to do with her 'Devdas' co-star Shah Rukh Khan.

File Photo: AFP.

Mumbai: On the occasion of actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's birthday, here is a look back at one of her most talked-about interviews wherein she admits to being dropped out of several films by Shah Rukh Khan.  Aishwarya and Shahrukh became one of the most loved on-screen pairs when director Sanjay Leela Bhansali cast the two in his adaptation of the popular tragic novel 'Devdas'. Their chemistry in the film is talked about to date and back then it seemed like just the beginning. As actress and host Simi Garewal points out in her popular talk show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal' while interacting with Aishwarya, both Shah Rukh and her were slated to work in 5 films, however, Aishwarya was somehow dropped from all projects. When asked about the same, Aishwarya says "Yes, at the time there was a talk about a couple of films that we were working in together and then suddenly they weren't happening with no explanation whatsoever. I never had the answer to why". Simi Grewal then goes on to reveal how Shahrukh in an interview expressed his regret over the decision and stated that it happened because he had interfered in her personal life which he shouldn't have. When asked about how that affected her she reveals that she was taken aback, confused and hurt, adding that "you wonder about it". "You didn't question Shah Rukh" asks Simi. To which, Aishwarya replies "It is not in my nature to. I think if a person feels the need to explain it, they will. If they never did, the never intend to. So its not in my nature to get into questioning what and why.. probably within myself but i wouldn't go up to a person to ask why because by the grace of God I am not defined by the other". "There is greater strength in silence," she adds when asked if her being quiet over the matter can be portrayed as her being weak. "It is very easy to vent, very easy to give interviews where you yap, or plant stories where you have "sources" speaking for you. It's tough not to do it," she says. In hindsight, however, it seems to have helped her focus on her Hollywood projects as the actress says she may not have been able to focus on them had she been engaged in the films slated with SRK. Over the years, looks like both the actors have gone past that awkward phase as they were last seen together in Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil released in 2016, where Shah Rukh has a guest appearance as Tahir who is Saba (played by Aishwarya)'s ex-husband. Meanwhile, as admirers from all over wish Aishwarya on her birthday today, fans will celebrate SRK's birthday tomorrow. WATCH | Review of Netflix's new horror movie 'Kaali Kuhi'