When Aishwarya Rai refused to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Happy New Year’

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was offered the 2014 film Happy New Year. But she refused to be a part of it despite it being backed by actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Sonu Sood.

Filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan’s 2014 film Happy New Year was a blockbuster hit. The film, which starred an ensemble cast including actors Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, and Sonu Sood, could have been another hit in actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s filmography. But she refused to be a part of it.

In an old interview, Aishwarya explained her logic behind turning down the offer to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Happy New Year, a film also featuring her husband Abhishek Bachchan. “Yeah, I was offered the film, and it did seem like quite a fun trip. I knew we would have a blast doing it, and it was going to be a fun experience,” Aishwarya told NDTV in an interview.

But the actor reasoned why she still refused to feature in it. Aishwarya said, “It wouldn’t have worked out with both me and Abhishek in the film and not being paired with each other. We wouldn’t be cast opposite each other. It would be really, really weird, right? That’s why I had to decline it.”

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Happy New Year featured only one female lead, Deepika Padukone, who was paired opposite Shah Rukh. The film didn’t feature any other female actors. The film is not the only one Aishwarya refused to star in. She also declined offers for Troy, Munnabhai MBBS, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Krrish, all of which became box-office hits.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was last seen on the silver screen in Mani Ratnam’s period drama Ponniyin Selvan. With Abhishek, she has featured in films like Kuch Naa Kaho, Guru, and Raavan.