Chitrangda Singh, known for her impactful performances in films like "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi" and more recently, "Housefull 5," recently shared an interesting tidbit about her career. In a candid conversation, the actress revealed that she was almost cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the 2003 film "Chalte Chalte."

According to Chitrangda, the opportunity arose early in her career. She recounted how Shah Rukh Khan himself later told her that they had been looking for her to cast in "Chalte Chalte." Juhi Chawla's brother, Bobby, who was a co-producer on the film, and director Saeed Mirza had seen her work and were interested in casting her. However, at the time, Chitrangda was not actively working, and the message didn't reach her. "So, they were looking for me, but I was not working. So, I did not know," she explained. "Oh God, fate!"

"Chalte Chalte" eventually starred Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles. The film was a success, but the behind-the-scenes casting change has become a notable piece of Bollywood history. Aishwarya Rai was initially cast alongside SRK and had even begun shooting, but she was unexpectedly replaced by Rani Mukerji. Reports suggest that Aishwarya's then-boyfriend, Salman Khan, created a scene on set, leading to the replacement.

Shah Rukh Khan has also spoken about the situation, expressing his regret over Aishwarya's removal. He clarified that the decision involved multiple stakeholders, as the reputation of Red Chillies Entertainment was at stake. Despite his personal admiration for Aishwarya, he felt his hands were tied as he wasn't the sole decision-maker.

Chitrangda debuted in Bollywood with "Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi" in 2005. Despite not starting her career with a mainstream film like "Chalte Chalte", she has carved a niche for herself with diverse roles in films like "Yeh Saali Zindagi", "Desi Boyz", "Baazaar", and "Bob Biswas". Most recently, she has appeared in "Housefull 5", which was released earlier in June 2025.

"Housefull 5," directed by Tarun Mansukhani, is the fifth installment of the "Housefull" franchise. The film has an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez and many others. The film is a comedy thriller, following multiple imposters who compete for a billionaire's fortune.

Chitrangda's journey in Bollywood has been one of resilience and versatility. She has successfully transitioned from critically acclaimed roles to commercial cinema, proving her adaptability as an actress.