Soha Ali Khan lost out to Rani Mukerji after Shah Rukh Khan joined Paheli!

Amol Palekar’s Paheli (2005) stands out as one of Bollywood’s most artistically mounted folk tales, weaving together fantasy, love, and tradition. With Shah Rukh Khan in a dual role and Rani Mukerji delivering a graceful performance as Lachchi, the film earned praise for its visual richness and soulful music. Adding gravitas, Amitabh Bachchan appeared in a powerful cameo during the climax, elevating the narrative’s dramatic closure. While the movie impressed critics, audience response was modest at the box office. But here’s a little-known fact- Rani Mukerji was not the original choice for the role.

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Soha Ali Khan was First Offered Paheli

As revealed in her interview with Mashable India, Soha Ali Khan claimed that she was initially approached by Amol Palekar for Paheli. 

At the time, Soha was working at Citibank and earning a comfortable salary, paying Rs 17,000 rent and planning to eventually move to London for work. However, when Palekar narrated the script, she decided to quit her job, considering the project as her big entry into films. She admitted later that she had only a vague interest in acting and was also tempted by the paycheck, though she was not entirely prepared for the demands of cinema.

SRK’s Entry and The Casting Shift

The turning point came when SRK joined Paheli, not just as an actor but also as a producer under Red Chillies Entertainment. His involvement raised the film’s profile, prompting the makers to reconsider casting choices to match the scale of the project. That’s when Rani Mukerji was brought in to play Lachchi, a decision that completely altered the trajectory of the film. 

For Soha, this was a painful setback- she had already quit her secure corporate job, expecting Paheli to be her debut. Instead, she made her screen debut later with Dil Maange More (2004).

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Twist of Fate in Bollywood Journeys

While Rani’s portrayal of Lachchi became an integral part of Paheli’s legacy, Soha has often spoken candidly about how missing out on the film shaped her early career struggles.