When Ash REJECTED Hollywood films with Will Smith

Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has captivated the world with her strikingly good looks and acting talents. The actress, who was one of the early few Indian stars to wenture into the West, once made headlines for turning down not one, but multiple film offers from Hollywood star Will Smith.
Did you know that Ash caught the attention of Will Smith, who was keen to work with her on his films like the rom-com Hitch, Among the projects she declined were Hitch, the action movie Hancock, and even the thriller Seven Pounds. But as Aishwarya revealed later, her reasons had little to do with career ambition and everything to do with personal priorities to the Bachchan family.
In a 2008 interview with IANS, Aishwarya clarified that she did not reject Seven Pounds to observe Karwa Chauth, as reported by sections of the US media at the time. Instead, it was a deeply personal decision. “The script reading for Seven Pounds was just after Diwali when Dadimaa [Teji Bachchan]’s health dipped drastically,” she explained and added, “So I didn’t make that trip out to LA for the reading session with Will. Is that wrong? Not to me. I’d any day put family over career.”

Speaking about another project offered to her by Smith, Tonight He Comes (which later became Hancock), Aishwarya shared, “That’s true. I had to say no to Will. I feel awful about it, but I’ve my priorities very straight. Yes, family always comes first.”
The role then went on to Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron.
Rai was also reportedly considered for a role in the movie Hitch, but she reportedly declined the offer due to her discomfort with intimate scenes. The role eventually went to Eva Mendes and the rom-com was among the biggest box office hits of the time.
Speaking about their missed collaborations, Aishwarya revealed that at one point, she committed her dates to Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar when Will wanted to shoot his film. The actor, who has been visiting the country over the years, has been vocal about his admiration for the beauty, saying “I really wanted to work with her... She has this powerful energy where she doesn’t have to say anything, do anything—she can just stand there. Anything she’s making, I’ll be there."
Besides Will Smith, Ash also reportedly turned down a role opposite Brad Pitt in the movie Troy.