Aishwarya Rai wanted to marry this millionaire businessman, husband Abhishek got shocked!

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Aishwarya Rai’s Rumored Past with Tech Tycoon Sabeer Bhatia Resurfaces Amid Ongoing Buzz Around Her Marriage

Mumbai, India – The Bachchan family, often in the limelight for its illustrious lineage and cinematic legacy, is once again the center of attention—not due to a film or a public appearance, but due to resurgent rumors surrounding Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s personal life, particularly her alleged past connection with tech entrepreneur Sabeer Bhatia.

While Aishwarya Rai is now firmly established as the daughter-in-law of Bollywood’s legendary Bachchan family and the wife of actor Abhishek Bachchan, whispers from the past have made a sudden comeback, drawing renewed public interest. Reports are suggesting that before her marriage to Abhishek, Aishwarya had once considered marrying someone else—not a film star, but a Silicon Valley millionaire whose net worth and professional legacy set him apart.

Who was this man? What was the nature of his connection with Aishwarya? And why are these rumors resurfacing now, years after she tied the knot with Abhishek?

The Backdrop: Bachchans in the Spotlight

The Bachchan family—consisting of icons Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai—has always been followed closely by fans and the media. From high-profile weddings to political statements, to the occasional rumor of domestic discord, the family remains one of India’s most closely watched celebrity households.

For months now, rumors have circulated that not all is well between Abhishek and Aishwarya. Speculation about a possible separation or divorce has grown louder after reports suggested the couple had been living apart or appearing at social events independently.

However, none of these claims have been confirmed by the couple, and both have maintained a dignified silence. The two were even seen together with their daughter Aaradhya on several occasions in recent months, attempting to lay such speculation to rest.

But as one layer of gossip subsides, another has emerged—this time, reaching back into Aishwarya’s past.

The Alleged Interest in Sabeer Bhatia: A Forgotten Chapter?

According to multiple resurfaced media reports and entertainment forums, Aishwarya Rai was once linked to Sabeer Bhatia, the co-founder of Hotmail, who famously sold the email platform to Microsoft in 1998 for a reported $400 million (INR 3300 crore at the time).

At the peak of her stardom in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Aishwarya had already dated Salman Khan in a publicly tumultuous relationship, which ended bitterly. Following that, she was linked with Vivek Oberoi, but that too eventually dissolved.

During this period, reports suggest that tech entrepreneur Sabeer Bhatia expressed admiration for Aishwarya, especially after watching her in Taal, and is said to have spoken highly of her in interviews. Some sources even claimed that he was interested in marrying her, and that the two were introduced at private social events.

The rumors never materialized into public confirmations or photographs, and no formal relationship was acknowledged. Still, the whispers lingered, especially because Bhatia’s name was a stark contrast to Aishwarya’s film-world romantic history.

Who Is Sabeer Bhatia?

Born in India and educated in the United States, Sabeer Bhatia rose to fame as a global tech icon when he co-founded Hotmail in 1996 with his friend Jack Smith. Just two years later, Microsoft acquired Hotmail, making Bhatia one of the youngest tech millionaires in the world at the time.

After his Hotmail success, Bhatia launched several ventures, including Arzoo.com and more recently, AI and clean technology startups. His status as a pioneering Indian figure in Silicon Valley earned him not only wealth but also considerable respect in India and abroad.

His admiration for Bollywood was no secret, and reportedly, so was his admiration for Aishwarya Rai.

The “Proposal” That Never Was

Several resurfaced interviews from the early 2000s claim that Sabeer Bhatia expressed a desire to marry Aishwarya Rai, and even told friends that she was “one of the most graceful women” he had ever seen. One of the most oft-cited anecdotes comes from an exclusive party in December 2001, where both Bhatia and Salman Khan were in attendance.

According to guests, Salman Khan jokingly confronted Bhatia about the rumors, asking:

“So you’re the guy who wants to marry Aish?”

Bhatia is said to have responded, “She is a wonderful woman,” brushing the comment off lightly.

Whether or not the exchange happened exactly as reported remains unclear. But it added fuel to the growing media narrative around Aishwarya’s “alternate future” with a billionaire, a future that never unfolded.

Marriage to Abhishek: The Path She Chose

Despite the past linkups and rumors, Aishwarya Rai eventually married Abhishek Bachchan in 2007, after a long courtship. The wedding was a private yet lavish affair held in Mumbai, attended by Bollywood’s elite and watched closely by millions.

The couple welcomed their daughter Aaradhya in 2011, and for years, their union was celebrated as one of Bollywood’s most glamorous and dignified marriages.

That’s why, when rumors of discord began to surface in recent times—particularly claims that the two were “living separately” or attending events alone—it hit fans hard.

The timing of the renewed Sabeer Bhatia rumors now seems to have added an unexpected twist to an already sensitive situation.

Sabeer’s Own Life: Marriage and Divorce

Sabeer Bhatia, for his part, married Tanya Sharma, a childhood friend, in 2008. The marriage, however, reportedly ended in divorce a few years later. His name has also been linked to other Bollywood actresses, including Amisha Patel and Sushmita Sen, though none of these associations were ever confirmed.

At present, Bhatia is said to be focused on artificial intelligence and sustainable technology ventures, staying out of the celebrity limelight.

Neither he nor Aishwarya Rai has made any recent public statement regarding the resurfaced rumors.

Speculation vs. Reality: What Do We Really Know?

To date, there is no evidence that Aishwarya Rai ever had a formal relationship with Sabeer Bhatia. The association appears to be more speculative than factual, fueled by past admiration and brief social interactions.

Moreover, Aishwarya has never publicly commented on the rumors. Her focus remains on family, motherhood, and her professional commitments in film and endorsements.

It’s worth noting that rumors from the past often resurface during times of public speculation, and that seems to be the case here. With ongoing gossip about her relationship with Abhishek Bachchan, stories about alternative love interests—real or imagined—tend to gain momentum.

Conclusion: A Story of Choices and Public Memory

Whether or not there was ever a serious relationship between Aishwarya Rai and Sabeer Bhatia, the resurfaced reports serve as a reminder of how public figures are often burdened with narratives they never claimed.

Aishwarya Rai made her choice in 2007 when she married Abhishek Bachchan. Their journey has seen ups and downs, like any long-standing marriage in the spotlight. But unless confirmed by the couple themselves, any claims about divorce or past romances remain just that—claims.

In an age of instant information, it is our responsibility as readers and fans to separate speculation from truth, admiration from action, and most importantly—rumor from reality.