Despite creating iconic on-screen chemistry in blockbuster hits like Mohabbatein, Devdas, and Josh, superstar Shah Rukh Khan famously removed Aishwarya Rai from five major upcoming projects that later went on to achieve massive success. The turning point of this professional friction began during the production of the 2003 film Chalte Chalte, which was being made under SRK and Juhi Chawla’s production company, Dreamz Unlimited. Aishwarya was originally cast as the female lead and shooting had already commenced, but she was abruptly replaced midway by Rani Mukerji.
Media reports heavily linked these sudden replacements to external disruptions and on-set tension caused by Salman Khan. Although reports claimed that the actors later apologized, the production team felt their trust was compromised and chose to protect the project’s continuity. Aishwarya later confirmed in an interview with Simi Grewal that she was dropped from at least five films without clear explanations—including major hits like Veer-Zaara and Kal Ho Naa Ho. She expressed how being removed without valid reasons left her surprised, troubled, and deeply hurt.
On the other hand, Shah Rukh Khan later candidly admitted that replacing a close friend and a good colleague was a heartbreaking choice. While he acknowledged that it was a purely professional and necessary decision from a producer’s standpoint to safeguard the film, he personally regretted the outcome and felt he made a mistake on a human level. He clarified that Aishwarya was extremely professional, but the surrounding chaos forced the team to rethink their options. Notably, neither SRK nor Aishwarya ever officially blamed Salman Khan, attributing the situation to unfortunate circumstances. Years later, the duo made a brief on-screen appearance together in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, though they have never collaborated on a full film since.
