Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan’s relationship, both personal and professional, has been a subject of much intrigue and public speculation for years. Their on-again, off-again romance, which eventually ended in a very public breakup, left a lasting impact on their careers and their relationship with the media.

While their personal fallout is well-documented, what many may not know is that there was a time when Aishwarya Rai was open to working with Salman Khan again in a major Bollywood project.

This time, the film in question was Padmaavat, a grand historical drama directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which became one of the biggest hits in Bollywood history. However, the reunion between Aishwarya and Salman didn’t materialize due to one crucial condition set by Aishwarya, which Salman was unwilling to accept.

Released in 2018, Padmaavat was an epic film that brought together some of Bollywood’s biggest stars: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Shahid Kapoor. The movie, based on the epic poem Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi, tells the story of the legendary Rajput queen Padmavati and her fierce battle to protect her kingdom from the ruthless Sultan Alauddin Khilji.

The film not only became a massive commercial success, grossing over 500 crores at the box office, but it also became a milestone in Indian cinema for its grand scale, breathtaking visuals, and powerful performances.

However, what is lesser-known is that Padmaavat could have had a very different cast if Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan had agreed to reunite for the project.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who had previously worked with both Aishwarya and Salman in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal, initially envisioned the two stars for the lead roles in Padmaavat.

Bhansali is known for his grand cinematic vision and for bringing out the best in his actors, and he had hoped to bring Aishwarya and Salman back together for this ambitious project.

According to reports, Bhansali’s first choice for the characters of Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji was none other than Aishwarya and Salman. However, the reunion was short-lived due to Aishwarya’s demand, which led to Salman Khan pulling out of the film.

Aishwarya Rai, who had been through a tumultuous breakup with Salman, reportedly agreed to work on Padmaavat but only under one condition: Salman Khan would have to play the negative role of Alauddin Khilji, and they would not share any scenes together. Aishwarya was reportedly willing to work in the film, but only if Salman agreed to take on the antagonist role so that their paths would not cross on screen.

This was a significant condition, given that Khilji is one of the most villainous characters in Indian history, and it would have required Salman to take on a role that was completely different from his usual heroic image.

Salman Khan, known for his strong personality and his ability to take on larger-than-life roles, was not keen on playing a villain, especially in a role as dark and complex as Khilji. He was not willing to accept Aishwarya’s condition, and as a result, he decided to opt out of the project.

His refusal to take on the role of the antagonist meant that Padmaavat would have to move forward without him, and Bhansali had to find a new actor for the role of Khilji.

With Salman’s exit, Bhansali turned to Ranveer Singh, who was known for his energetic and versatile performances. Ranveer was cast as Alauddin Khilji, a role that required him to tap into a much darker side of his acting abilities.

Khilji is portrayed as a cruel and power-hungry sultan, and Ranveer’s portrayal of the character was both menacing and captivating.

His performance was widely praised, with many critics noting that Ranveer brought a level of intensity to the role that was unmatched. His portrayal of Khilji became one of the most talked-about aspects of the film, and he won numerous awards for his performance.

Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone was cast as Rani Padmavati, the courageous queen who defends her kingdom against Khilji’s invasion. Deepika’s performance was equally praised, as she brought grace and strength to the character.

Shahid Kapoor played the role of Raja Ratan Singh, Padmavati’s husband, and his performance as the noble king was also well-received. Together, the trio created a powerful on-screen dynamic that resonated with audiences worldwide.

While Padmaavat went on to become a massive success, it is interesting to think about how the film might have turned out if Aishwarya and Salman had been cast together. If Salman had agreed to Aishwarya’s condition and played the role of Alauddin Khilji, it would have been a very different film.

Salman, known for his larger-than-life image and his heroic roles, would have had to undergo a significant transformation to play such a dark and ruthless character. It would have been fascinating to see how he would have handled the complex emotions and the moral ambiguity required for the role.

Furthermore, the chemistry between Aishwarya and Salman would have added an interesting layer to the film. While their personal relationship had ended, the two actors had shared great on-screen chemistry in the past, particularly in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal.

The dynamic between the two stars would have been intriguing to watch, especially in a film as grand and intense as Padmaavat.

In the end, Padmaavat became a historic film, and the casting of Ranveer Singh as Khilji was a masterstroke. Ranveer’s performance was one of the highlights of the film, and he brought a level of menace and intensity to the character that made him unforgettable.

While we will never know how Aishwarya and Salman would have fared in the film, Padmaavat remains a testament to the power of great storytelling, strong performances, and a visionary director.