The glamorous world of Bollywood may seem full of friendships and fairy tales, but beneath the surface, things aren’t always picture-perfect. A long-standing question has resurfaced: Why didn’t Aishwarya Rai invite Rani Mukerji to her wedding with Abhishek Bachchan? In a recent interview, Rani finally opened up about their fractured bond and what went wrong.
Once Best Friends, Now Distant Strangers
At one time, Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukerji were close friends. Their bond was admired both within and outside the industry. However, a turning point in their relationship changed everything.
During the filming of “Chalte Chalte”, Aishwarya was originally cast in the lead role. But after a reported incident involving Salman Khan on the set, the producers, including Shah Rukh Khan, decided to replace her with Rani Mukerji.
The Fallout from ‘Chalte Chalte‘
Though Rani had no direct role in Aishwarya’s exit, Aishwarya reportedly felt betrayed when Rani accepted the offer. The pain deepened their rift, especially as the role was meant to be Aishwarya’s comeback after a difficult breakup.
Their friendship quickly faded, and professional rivalry took its place. This incident laid the foundation for what would later become one of Bollywood’s most talked-about cold wars.
Rani’s Revelation on Koffee With Karan
During a candid appearance on Koffee With Karan alongside Kareena Kapoor, host Karan Johar brought up the topic of Aishwarya Rai. Rani Mukerji avoided going into details but hinted there was more to the story.
Her cryptic response: “You already know the reason.”
Karan, in his usual cheeky manner, replied, “Come on, just say it—Chalte Chalte.”
The Wedding Snub
When Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai got married, Rani Mukerji was noticeably absent. Rumors swirled that Rani had feelings for Abhishek, but his mother Jaya Bachchan reportedly disapproved of her, finding her arrogant and loud. Following Jaya’s advice, Abhishek distanced himself from Rani, eventually marrying Aishwarya.
The absence of an invite made it clear: the friendship was truly over.
Despite the past, Rani Mukerji maintains that she holds no personal grudge against Aishwarya. In her words,
> “I never saw her at any public event again. But if we ever meet, I’m sure we’ll greet each other warmly.”
It’s a graceful end to a once-strong friendship that couldn’t withstand the pressures of the film industry.
While fans still hope for reconciliation between two of Bollywood’s most iconic actresses, the truth behind why Aishwarya Rai didn’t invite Rani Mukerji to her wedding highlights the fragile nature of relationships in showbiz. Sometimes, even the strongest bonds can break under press
ure—but maturity can still leave room for mutual respect.
