Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar recently shared that he had initially considered casting Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the role eventually portrayed by Kajol in his iconic 2001 film, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Johar believed that Kajol might not be available for the film due to her marriage and contemplated approaching Aishwarya for the role. However, circumstances took a different turn, and he missed the opportunity to work with Aishwarya in that particular project. Nonetheless, they eventually collaborated in the 2016 film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
During an interview, Karan Johar mentioned that when he was in the casting phase of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, he learned that Kajol might not be able to take on the film due to her personal commitments. In response, he considered approaching Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the role. However, Kajol expressed her interest in the film, which surprised Johar. As a result, he didn’t meet with Aishwarya for the project. This marked the beginning of a series of missed opportunities to work together.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also acknowledged the incident during an interview, confirming that Karan Johar had approached her for the film. However, due to script changes and character modifications, she couldn’t be a part of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Aishwarya praised Kajol’s performance in the film while expressing her regret for not being able to collaborate with Johar on that project.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, headlined by Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Kajol, and Kareena Kapoor, revolved around the dynamics of an Indian family that faces turmoil after the elder son (played by SRK) marries a girl from a humble background (portrayed by Kajol). The film depicted the journey of the younger son as he bridges the gap between his father and brother, forming the heart of the storyline.
Although Karan Johar missed the opportunity to cast Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, the film remains a beloved classic and a significant milestone in Bollywood cinema. The incident serves as a reminder of the various twists and turns that occur during the casting process, leading to unique combinations of actors that leave a lasting impact on audiences.
