Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has had an extraordinary Bollywood career, with several memorable performances and blockbuster films to her credit. But like many successful actors, she has also walked away from projects that later became major hits.

One of the most interesting examples is Happy New Year, Farah Khan’s 2014 multi-starrer featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan and an ensemble cast. The film went on to perform strongly at the box office, while Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s pairing became one of its major talking points.

However, Aishwarya Rai was reportedly considered for the female lead before Deepika Padukone eventually took the role.

Aishwarya Rai liked the film

Aishwarya had taken a break from films after becoming a mother, and she later revealed that she had been offered Happy New Year.

According to the actress, she found the project particularly appealing because it could have marked an exciting return to mainstream cinema after her maternity break.

She felt that starring in a big commercial film with a strong ensemble cast could have made for a memorable comeback. In her own recollection, she described the opportunity as a potentially ideal film to return with.

So why didn't she eventually become part of the movie?

Abhishek Bachchan's presence reportedly changed the equation

The key issue was reportedly the presence of Abhishek Bachchan, who was already part of the film.

Aishwarya's proposed character would have had a romantic connection with Shah Rukh Khan's character. At the same time, Abhishek was playing another character in the same movie.

Aishwarya felt that having the real-life married couple appear in the same film while playing separate characters—and with her character romantically paired with Shah Rukh Khan—could potentially feel awkward for audiences.

She later indicated that had the project been offered without Abhishek's involvement, she might have considered accepting it.

Ultimately, however, she chose not to be part of the film.

Deepika Padukone eventually took the role

The part eventually went to Deepika Padukone, who starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan.

Their chemistry became one of the highlights of Happy New Year, and the film went on to become a major commercial success.

In hindsight, Aishwarya's decision meant missing out on one of the biggest ensemble entertainers of 2014.

Aishwarya has missed several successful films

Happy New Year wasn't the only successful project that Aishwarya was reportedly offered but did not do.

Over the years, her name has been linked with films such as Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Krrish and Bajirao Mastani.

However, the specific reasons behind her not appearing in these projects have not all been confirmed by Aishwarya herself, so many of the stories surrounding these films remain reports or industry anecdotes.

Her return came with ‘Jazbaa’

Aishwarya married Abhishek Bachchan in 2007. The couple welcomed their daughter Aaradhya in November 2011, after which the actress took a break from acting.

She eventually returned to the big screen in Jazbaa in 2015, following her earlier appearance in Ponniyin Selvan II.

Looking back, Happy New Year remains one of the more intriguing “what if” moments in Aishwarya Rai's career. Had she accepted the project, audiences could have seen a very different combination of stars in one of Bollywood's biggest commercial entertainers.