In the glamorous world of Bollywood, relationships are often as dramatic as the movies themselves. Friendships are formed, love stories blossom, and rivalries emerge, sometimes leading to bitter endings. Such is the case with two of Bollywood’s leading ladies, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee, who were once the best of friends. Their friendship, however, eventually soured, leading to a rift that remains to this day. Here’s a look at what happened between these two iconic actresses and the reasons behind their fallout.
The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship
Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherjee first became close friends during a tour. Their bond quickly deepened, and they were often seen together at various events, supporting each other through both good and bad times. Their friendship was the talk of the town, and they were inseparable, whether it was a happy occasion or a moment of sorrow. Around the same time, Aishwarya shared a good rapport with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, with whom she delivered the blockbuster hit Devdas in 2002. Fans eagerly anticipated more collaborations between the trio, but fate had other plans.
The Rift Begins: ‘Chalte Chalte’ Controversy
The first signs of trouble emerged in 2003 during the making of the film Chalte Chalte. Initially, Aishwarya Rai was cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan, and the two had even begun shooting. However, reports suggest that Aishwarya’s then-boyfriend Salman Khan caused disruptions on the set, leading to Aishwarya being replaced by none other than her best friend, Rani Mukherjee. Shah Rukh first offered the role to Kajol, and when she declined, he approached Rani, who accepted without hesitation.
This sudden replacement deeply hurt Aishwarya, as she felt betrayed by both Shah Rukh and Rani. The incident marked the beginning of a cold war between the two actresses, one that neither openly addressed, but which became evident to those around them.
Abhishek Bachchan: Another Point of Contention
Another reason for the fallout between Aishwarya and Rani was Abhishek Bachchan. There were rumors that Rani and Abhishek were once romantically involved. The two had shared screen space in several films, including Bunty Aur Babli and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and their off-screen chemistry was just as strong as their on-screen presence.
However, according to media reports, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek’s mother, disapproved of Rani as a potential daughter-in-law. The reason for this disapproval is said to be a kissing scene between Amitabh Bachchan and Rani in the film Black, which reportedly did not sit well with Jaya. Consequently, she was against the idea of Rani marrying her son. Meanwhile, Aishwarya and Abhishek grew closer during the shooting of Guru and Dhai Akshar Prem Ke. They eventually got married in 2007, but Rani was notably not invited to the wedding—a move that only deepened the rift.
The Fallout and Its Aftermath
After the fallout, Aishwarya and Rani were never seen together, and there was no evidence of them speaking to each other. Rani later married Bollywood filmmaker Aditya Chopra in a secret ceremony in Italy in 2014. The couple now has a daughter named Adira. Despite the fallout, Rani once mentioned in an interview that Aishwarya and Preity Zinta were her favorite actresses from her generation, indicating that there might still be some respect left between them.
A Glimmer of Reconciliation
In 2017, a rare moment of reconciliation occurred when Aishwarya’s father passed away. Rani was one of the few people who came to console Aishwarya, and the two were seen hugging each other. However, this brief moment of warmth did not lead to a full-blown patch-up, and the two have not been seen together since.
