Shilpa Shirodkar Reveals She Was Initially Offered ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ Over Malaika Arora

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shirodkar recently revealed that she was the original choice for the iconic song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ from the film Dil Se, not Malaika Arora. The actress, who is currently a participant in Bigg Boss season 18, shared this insight during a recent episode of the show.
The 51-year-old star disclosed that she was initially contacted for the track, which was later picturized on Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora atop a moving train. The song became a cultural phenomenon and is still widely regarded as one of Bollywood’s most memorable numbers.
However, Shirodkar added that she was rejected after director Farah Khan reportedly called her “too heavy” for the role. She revealed this during a conversation with Farah Khan herself, who was hosting the Bigg Boss episode in place of Salman Khan.
Shilpa Shirodkar’s candid revelation has sparked a conversation about the pressures and expectations placed on actresses in the film industry.