Not “hot” like attractive, but “hot” like had a lot of heat on her from the media and the public right now, so she could help promote the movie. Since they were playing it self, they wanted an established actress with a history of being popular opposite Shahrukh. So the “safe” choice for the next film was to do a buy the numbers rom-com that Aziz could easily handle, and to cast a younger and more enthusiastic actress to play the role that normally would have gone to Juhi. Juhi (much though I love her!) was beginning to get noticeably older in appearance and just had less time and interest in playing the fame game.

Aziz had been one of their first directors, and he’s a good director, but not really imaginative. This was his first production house which was co-founded by him, Juhi Chawla, and Aziz Mirza. So for his next movie, Shahrukh really wanted to play it safe. (The money spent on dirty-mop looking wigs alone must have been enormous!) Asoka was particularly bad, so expensive to make and so ambitious in concept, that the failure was a real embarrassment. He made Asoka and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, and they both flopped terribly. But I do want to give a couple quick things before discussing the whole film because it is only that background which lead to Rani even getting the part.Ĭhalte Chalte was the first successful film Shahrukh produced. I don’t want to do a post just on that (that would fit more with a Hindi Film 101 on Aishwarya Rai, or Shahrukh’s business history). But this is a last minute light review that I am dashing off while watching a Telugu movie on TV, so I want something light and easy for me to discuss! And the 2000s era SRK rom-coms, that’s my sweet spot! Maybe later after her birthday is over I will do a more Rani-y review of something else.Ĭhalte Chalte is one of those movies where it’s a close thing as to whether it is more known for being a popular and successful film, or for all the issues that came up during filming. I could have done something super deep and very Rani-full like Mardaani or No One Killed Jessica. So, okay, you can fight with me over whether this is a better movie or Paheli or Kabhi Alveda Na Kehna. It’s really just this one and Paheli and Kabhi Alveda Na Kehna. Is that a controversial statement? Not the birthday part (can’t really deny that), but the best SRK-Rani part? I don’t think so, they’ve worked together a lot, but they haven’t actually been the main “jodi” in most of their films. So we are having a little string of Rani-Shahrukh movie reviews. Huh, I forgot I did Paheli just last week.

Chalte chalte movie review