Aishwarya Rai Is Among The Few Actresses In Hollywood To Turn Down A Film Alongside Brad Pitt
Any actor in the world would likely give a lot for a chance to work with Brad Pitt. The Mr. & Mrs. Smith star is one of the absolutely finest actors in the industry today: with two Oscars, two BAFTAs, two Golden Globes and one Primetime Emmy Award under his belt. He also ranks comfortably in the top 50 list of leading actors in box office performance.
This is a unique accomplishment, considering that most of the people on that list draw their numbers from franchise communities such as Marvel, Star Wars or Fast & Furious. Other than his role in the Ocean’s movies, it would be fair to say that Pitt is very much not a franchise actor. In the last two years or so, he has seen a $100 million increase in his net worth, to take it to somewhere around the $400 million mark.
Those in Hollywood who have actually had the opportunity to work with Pitt have had nothing but the highest praise for him. The actor has featured in multiple Quentin Tarantino movies, and the director was effusive in complimenting Pitt’s work ethic. Most of his fellow actors have also offered very positive words of their experience collaborating with him.
Yet not everyone would jump at the opportunity, at least going by the actions of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Who Is Bollywood Star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan?
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a name that resonates particularly with Indian cinema lovers. She is a former Miss World, a successful Bollywood actress, and an icon in the Indian film industry. Born in Mangalore, India, in 1973, Rai initially pursued a degree in architecture, but later dropped out to pursue a career in modeling. She took her first steps in the industry in the late 1990s, and soon became a popular face in Indian advertising.
In 1994, Rai won the Miss World title, which brought her international fame and recognition. She would go on to make her Bollywood debut in 1997 in the film Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya. The movie was not a commercial success, but her performance received positive reviews. She then went on to star in a few more films, including Jeans and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, which proved to be her breakthrough role.
On the international scene, Rai made her mark with roles in films like Bride and Prejudice, The Pink Panther 2, The Last Legion and The Devotion of Suspect X.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Refused To Star In Brad Pitt’s Troy
In 2004, Brad Pitt starred alongside Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom in the epic historical war film Troy by German director Wolfgang Petersen. Written by future Game of Thrones creator David Benioff, the movie was an adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad, which tells the story of the Trojan War. It followed the story of the legendary warrior Achilles, who leads the Greek army against the city of Troy.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was reportedly offered the chance to feature in a significant role in Troy, as the character Briseis. Briseis was a priestess of the Trojan god Apollo and the widow of a Trojan prince. In the film, she was captured by the Greeks and Achilles took her as his slave. Over time, the two developed a relationship, and Achilles grew to care for her deeply.
Most people would have deemed the opportunity to work with Brad Pitt in such an important role as being once in a lifetime. That was certainly not the case for Rai, who said no to the offer. Australian actress Rose Byrne was instead cast as Briseis, a part which helped to establish her in Hollywood.
Why Did Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Say No To A Part In Troy?
In explaining why she turned down the opportunity to work with Brad Pitt in Troy, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan explained about the differences between starring in movies in Hollywood and doing the same in Bollywood. Essentially, she was used to working with a lot more freedom in her native country’s industry, but she found that the same did not work in the States.
That is not to say that she scoffed at such a unique opportunity being presented to her.
Aishwarya Rai decided to stick to her principles despite the tempting offer.
