‘I need to destroy your image’: Subhash Ghai on casting Aishwarya Rai in Taal

Subhash Ghai's 1999 film Taal, celebrated for its music by AR Rahman, marked the rising careers of Aishwarya Rai and Akshaye Khanna, two young actors who were early in their Bollywood journey. Initially hesitant, Ghai was adamant about bringing in fresh faces for the big-budget project. Vinod Khanna, Akshaye's father, played a pivotal role in getting Akshaye on board, while a recommendation from choreographer Saroj Khan led to Aishwarya's casting.

To break Aishwarya Rai's image from the cosmetics world, Ghai insisted she appear without makeup in the opening hour of Taal. She agreed, stating, "I will do whatever you say." The film, a musical romantic drama starring Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, and Akshaye Khanna, became a massive commercial success in India and abroad.