Revealed: Kajol Wasn't The First Choice For 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', It Was Aishwarya Rai

Kajol Turns 50: On August 5th, Kajol celebrated her 50th birthday. Known for her elegance, she has delivered numerous hits in Bollywood, solidifying her status as one of the industry's most successful actresses. Interestingly, her iconic role in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was not originally intended for her. Initially, Karan Johar had another Bollywood star in mind for the role of Anjali.

In a past conversation with Komal Nahta, Karan Johar disclosed that he initially wanted to cast Aishwarya Rai for the role of Anjali. He assumed Kajol would decline due to her recent marriage and happy personal life. However, after just one meeting where he explained the character and plot, Kajol surprised him by accepting the role. Karan stated, "But I don't know what changed, Kajol actually wanted to do the film. So, I did not go to meet Aishwarya. But Aishwarya was my choice and after that, the series of 'missing' started."

On the professional front, Kajol is gearing up for her next project Maharagni, which is scheduled to release on May 29, 2024.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham featured an ensemble cast including Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor and Jaya Bachchan alongside Kajol. The family drama marked its 23rd anniversary in 2004. The film was produced by Hiroo Johar and Dharma Productions.

The movie's success reaffirmed Kajol's position as a leading actress in Bollywood during the early 2000s.

Despite initial doubts about casting her due to personal reasons, Kajol's performance in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham remains memorable.