Suneel Darshan says Kareena Kapoor was originally offered Priyanka Chopra's role in Aitraaz: 'Bebo made such a big mistake...'

Time of India

a day ago

Aitraaz casting choices may have ignited a Bollywood rivalry. Suneel Darshan revealed Kareena Kapoor first declined the role of Sonia. Priyanka Chopra then seized the opportunity. Her performance was impactful. This led to reported tension between Kareena and Priyanka. Both stars made remarks on Koffee with Karan. Kareena later dismissed rivalry rumors. She cited personal growth for her changed perspective.
Before they shared the couch on
Koffee with Karan
,
Kareena Kapoor
and
Priyanka Chopra
were often in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons—alleged digs, award show shade, and a cold war that tabloids couldn't get enough of. But could it all have started with a single missed opportunity in the early 2000s? A recent revelation by a veteran filmmaker might just hold the missing piec
While Aitraaz proved to be a commercial hit, it was Priyanka's bold and layered performance as the antagonist Sonia that truly stood out. Her portrayal broke conventions—offering a morally grey female lead rarely seen in Bollywood at the time—and became a defining moment in her early career. Interestingly,
Suneel Darshan
recently revealed that the role of Sonia was first offered to Kareena, hinting at how casting choices can sometimes reshape careers and rivalries alike.
Why Kareena Said No
In conversation with Bollywood Bubble, the filmmaker recently reflected on the casting of Aitraaz and revealed that Kareena was initially offered the role of Sonia, which eventually went to Priyanka. At the time, the character was seen as a negative or vamp-like role—especially since it involved playing the much younger wife of a character portrayed by veteran actor
Amrish Puri
. This perception may have influenced Kareena's decision to decline the part.
Darshan noted that such roles were often underestimated in that era, but as narratives and audience perceptions evolved, the decision in hindsight appeared to be a missed opportunity for Kareena.
He further revealed that Bebo was first offered the role of Sonia in Aitraaz but chose the safer heroine role instead. The part eventually went to Chopra, becoming a major turning point in her career.
A Career-Making Turn for Priyanka
Suneel praised Priyanka for boldly taking on a grey role at a time when many leading actresses hesitated.
He noted that Priyanka, then an emerging talent, pursued the part with confidence and delivered a performance that made the unconventional character believable and impactful.
Tensions and Tabloid Drama
What followed was reportedly an unspoken rift between Kareena and Priyanka, with each taking subtle (and not-so-subtle) digs at the other over the years. On various seasons of Koffee with Karan, both stars made pointed remarks. At one point, Kareena even questioned Priyanka's National Award win for Fashion, prompting widespread speculation about tension between the two.
Interestingly, the two actresses shared a couch on Koffee with Karan in 2019 during its sixth season, where they laughed off their past remarks and displayed a surprisingly warm, refreshed dynamic.
In a 2023 interview with Mid-Day, Kareena finally addressed long-standing rumours of a rivalry with Priyanka. Dismissing the idea of any catfights, Kareena reflected on her younger years, admitting she may have said a few foolish things in the past but has since evolved. She credited marriage, motherhood, and career growth for her newfound calm. When asked if there was ever real tension with Priyanka, she called the speculation rubbish and insisted there was nothing to it.