The long-standing feud between Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherjee is one of Bollywood’s most talked-about rivalries, and it stems from a combination of personal and professional factors.

Once close friends and two of the most celebrated actresses in the industry, their relationship took a dramatic turn, and their fallout is still a subject of speculation.

In the early 2000s, Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherjee were at the peak of their careers. Both had established themselves as leading actresses in Bollywood, and their friendship seemed unbreakable. They even went on a 45-day world tour together, where their bond grew stronger. However, things began to unravel when professional competition and personal complications got in the way.

The catalyst for their fallout was Shahrukh Khan’s film *Chalte Chalte*, which was being produced under his home banner. Aishwarya was initially cast as the female lead opposite Shahrukh, as she was his first choice for the role. However, during this period, Aishwarya was going through a turbulent phase in her personal life, primarily due to her troubled relationship with Salman Khan.

Salman, known for his possessive nature, was reportedly uncomfortable with Aishwarya working with other male actors, particularly the Khans. His frequent visits to the film set and disruptive behavior created tension, not only for Aishwarya but also for the film’s crew. Aishwarya’s emotional turmoil affected her performance, and she became irregular on set, unable to fully commit to the role. This led to frustration for Shahrukh Khan and the production team, as the film was already under pressure being a new project for Shahrukh’s production house.

In the midst of this chaos, Shahrukh had no choice but to replace Aishwarya to keep the project moving. He turned to Rani Mukherjee, who accepted the role without hesitation. Rani did not consult Aishwarya before taking on the project, which deeply hurt Aishwarya. At the time, Aish was already dealing with her personal issues, and the loss of this major role to her close friend only added to her distress. She felt betrayed by Rani, leading to the beginning of their rift.

Rani, on the other hand, defended her decision, stating in an interview that she would accept any role offered to her by respected actors like Shahrukh or Aamir Khan, even if it meant standing behind the camera for the entire film. To her, it was purely a professional decision, and she saw no reason to refuse a good script. The film *Chalte Chalte* went on to become a big hit at the box office, but the damage to Aishwarya and Rani’s friendship was irreversible.

Adding to the tension was the fact that Aishwarya later started a relationship with Abhishek Bachchan, whom Rani Mukherjee had been romantically linked to in the past. The two actresses were no longer on speaking terms, and this only deepened the divide between them. Aishwarya married Abhishek in 2007, cementing her place in the Bachchan family, while Rani was left on the sidelines.

The combination of professional rivalry, personal betrayal, and romantic entanglements ensured that the friendship between Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherjee was never repaired. Despite both actresses being mature enough to avoid public confrontations, the underlying tensions between them remain, making this one of Bollywood’s most enduring feuds.