Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is one of the most iconic Bollywood actor, with a diverse range of films such as ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, ‘Devdas’, ‘Dhoom 2’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, and the ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ series, she has showcased her versatility and talent. However, did you know that Aish has also turned down several high-profile Hollywood roles, including one opposite Brad Pitt that became a blockbuster.
One of the most notable films Aishwarya Rai Bachchan declined was ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’, directed by Doug Liman. The film featured Brad Pitt as John Smith, a secret agent married to Jane Smith, a role initially offered to Aishwarya. According to reports from The Telegraph and DNA India, she was uncomfortable with the intimate scenes required in the film. Ultimately, Angelina Jolie took on the role of Jane Smith, leading to the creation of the iconic Hollywood couple known as ‘Brangelina’. Upon its release, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ grossed approximately $487.3 million (around Rs 4,112 crore), making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2005 according to Box Office Mojo.
In addition to ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’, Aishwarya also turned down a role in ‘Troy’, where she was offered the part of Briseis, the Princess of Troy. This role ultimately went to Rose Byrne. In an interview with The Indian Express, Aishwarya explained her decision: “When ‘Troy’ was spoken about… they were saying at least 6-9 months to lock off (the schedule) because it is a huge film. But obviously, we have a way of looking at it like – this is your part… to lock off that kind of time when I had films here (in India) I was committed to, I couldn’t get myself to kick that to the curb.” She acknowledged the excitement surrounding such significant offers but felt unable to abandon her commitments in India for a smaller role in Hollywood.
Brad Pitt himself expressed regret over not working with Aishwarya in ‘Troy’. In an interview with IANS, he stated, “Given a chance, I would like to work with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan because she’s a versatile actor. She is one of the most popular actresses of Bollywood who has achieved huge acclaim in the west for her style, beauty and acting. I think we missed an opportunity to be cast together for ‘Troy’.” His admiration for her talent highlights the impact Aishwarya has made not only in Indian cinema but also on an international scale.
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