Even 25 years after its release, Kandukondain Kandukondain continues to be celebrated as one of Tamil cinema's most beloved relationship dramas.
But did you know that Aishwarya Rai was never Rajiv Menon's first choice for one of the film's most memorable roles?
Speaking on I AM with Dhanya Varma, the filmmaker recently revealed that he had originally approached Malayalam actress Manju Warrier for the role that eventually went to Aishwarya Rai.
Rajiv Menon said he was looking for a strong and outspoken performer to portray Meenakshi, one of the sisters at the heart of the story.
"At that time, I had watched many of Manju Warrier's films and felt she was perfect for the role," he shared.
According to the filmmaker, Manju appreciated the story but never gave him a definite answer.
She was reportedly planning to get married and step away from acting, which left the project hanging in uncertainty.
"She kept saying it was a nice story and that she would let me know later. But she never did," Rajiv recalled, adding that he eventually realised the casting would not work out.
While he already had Tabu on board for the project, finding the right actress to play her younger sister proved challenging.
Rajiv even approached the late actress Soundarya before the search continued. It was then that his wife, Latha, suggested an unexpected name, Aishwarya Rai.
At the time, Aishwarya had already made a mark with Mani Ratnam's Iruvar and was working on major projects, including Taal. Rajiv narrated the story to her, and her response surprised him.
The actress was deeply moved by the script and agreed to be part of the film almost immediately. What happened next left an even bigger impression on the director.
Concerned that the production might not be able to afford her remuneration, Rajiv brought up the issue during their conversation.
However, Aishwarya reportedly brushed aside the concern. According to Rajiv, she reminded him that years earlier, he had encouraged her to act in Iruvar instead of collaborating with him on another project. That gesture had stayed with her.
"Whatever you do, I will act in it," Aishwarya reportedly told him.
The rest, as they say, is history. Released in 2000, Kandukondain Kandukondain went on to become a critically acclaimed classic, featuring an ensemble cast that included Ajith Kumar, Mammootty, Tabu, Aishwarya Rai and Srividya.
While fans can hardly imagine anyone else in the role today, Rajiv Menon's latest revelation offers a fascinating glimpse into the casting decisions that almost changed the face of one of Tamil cinema's most iconic films.
Source / Image Credit : cinemaexpress , Reddit
