Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has a long list of films to her name, including Taal, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Raincoat and Ponniyin Selvan. But a few big films slipped away from her before she ever got started. One of them was Raja Hindustani (1996), starring Aamir Khan.
Yes, you read it right.
Aishwarya Rai turned down the film, and the role went to Karisma Kapoor. The movie became the highest grosser of its time and gave Karisma's career a huge push.
In a 2012 interview with Vogue, the actpr explained that she walked away from the movie because she wanted to take part in Miss India. "I'm often cited as the person who established the beauty pageant-to-films route, but that was not the case with me. I had at least four film offers before the pageants.
"In fact, I decided to participate in Miss India to step back from the film industry for a bit. If I hadn't taken part in the pageant, Raja Hindustani would’ve been my first film," she added.
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The film's director later backed this up.
In 2025, Dharmesh Darshan told Bollywood Hungama that Aishwarya was his original pick for the lead. "She was also my first choice for the role of Memsaab in Raja Hindustani. My heart was on her. But she urgently had to go for Miss World."
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He added, "I didn't want to take any chance as I wanted an actress who could devote her full time to the film and Bollywood. It was her sheer grace that she didn’t hold it in her heart."
Raja Hindustani Hit or Flop?
Raja Hindustani was a hit, and a huge one. It was declared an All-Time Blockbuster, the highest verdict a film can get at the Indian box office. The 1996 release earned Rs 76 crore worldwide.
The story follows a taxi driver and a rich city girl who fall in love. Raja, played by Aamir Khan, and Aarti, played by Karisma Kapoor, get married even though her family does not approve. Trouble starts later when Aarti's stepmother tries to push the couple apart.
The music played a big part in its success. Songs like Pardesi Pardesi, Pucho Zara Pucho, Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein, Tere Ishq Mein Nachenge and Kitna Pyaara Tujhe Rabne are still remembered today.
The film also changed things for Karisma. Her work as Aarti won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
Aishwarya Rai Movies
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was last seen in Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 and 2, where she got one of the strongest roles of her recent career. She played two characters, Nandini and Mandakini.
The story is a period drama based on Kalki Krishnamurthy's well-known novel of the same name.
Trisha, Chiyaan Vikram, Karthi and Jayam Ravi play the main roles. The supporting cast includes Prakash Raj, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jayaram, Prabhu, Lal and several other actors.
FAQ
1. When was Aishwarya Rai born and how old is she?
Aishwarya Rai was born on November 1, 1973, and turns 53 years old in 2026.
2. Which major hit movies did Aishwarya Rai reject during her career?
Apart from Raja Hindustani, Aishwarya Rai famously turned down major roles in movies like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and the Hollywood film Troy.
3. Why did Aishwarya Rai reject Aamir Khan's Raja Hindustani?
Aishwarya Rai declined Raja Hindustani to focus completely on the Miss India and Miss World pageants in 1994, leading director Dharmesh Darshan to cast Karisma Kapoor instead.