Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rani Mukerji once shared an inseparable bond, often seen as the best of friends. Their camaraderie was so strong that when Aishwarya appeared on the show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, Rani sent a heartfelt video message expressing her love and affection. In her message, Rani apologized for missing the show due to illness but reassured Aishwarya that their friendship was unshakable, saying, “We are going to be friends forever.”

However, as time passed, things between the two friends changed. During an appearance on Koffee With Karan with Kareena Kapoor, Karan Johar cheekily brought up Rani’s past relationship with Aishwarya. Rani responded with a hint of mystery, stating, “Ya, and you know the reasons for it.” Karan, with his characteristic humor, joked, “Chalte Chalte mujhe bataa do kya hua tha,” referring to the film Chalte Chalte, in which Aishwarya was initially cast but later replaced by Rani after an alleged altercation with her then-boyfriend Salman Khan.

This incident led to reports that Aishwarya was deeply hurt by being replaced in the film by her former friend, Rani. The speculation surrounding this incident fueled rumors of a rift between the actresses. Shah Rukh Khan, who was involved in the film, later expressed regret over the situation in an interview, apologizing to Aishwarya for what had happened, while clarifying that he wasn’t solely responsible for the decision.