13 August,2026 06:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Subhash Ghai, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Akshaye Khanna. Pics via special arrangement
Subhash Ghai's Taal remains one of the most memorable musical romances of Hindi cinema, thanks not only to its AR Rahman soundtrack but also to the fresh pairing of Aishwarya Rai and Akshaye Khanna. Released in 1999, the film brought together two actors who were still relatively new to Bollywood and went on to become a major commercial success.
More than two decades later, Ghai has opened up about the casting choices that initially raised eyebrows, revealing why he was convinced that both actors were right for the ambitious project.
Speaking to NDTV, Ghai recalled that Akshaye Khanna came into the project through his father, veteran actor Vinod Khanna. At the time, Akshaye was only a few films into his career.
"Taal was his second film. His father, actor Vinod Khanna, brought him to my home and recommended him for casting," Ghai recalled.
The filmmaker said he immediately saw something in the young actor that worked for the character. "I said I like the boy because to me he looked intense," he added.
While Akshaye had the backing of a veteran star, Aishwarya Rai came into Ghai's consideration through another Bollywood heavyweight, choreographer Saroj Khan.
Having recently won the Miss World title, Aishwarya was already widely associated with glamour and beauty. Ghai, however, wanted to challenge that image rather than simply use it for the film.
Ghai said he approached Saroj Khan while searching for an actress who could handle the film's demanding dance sequences. When he asked her for suggestions beyond Madhuri Dixit, Saroj recommended Aishwarya.
The filmmaker subsequently met the former beauty queen and made it clear that Taal would require her to step away from her established glamorous persona.
"Aishwarya had this image from the cosmetic world. I called her, she came, and I told her that I need to destroy your image," Ghai recalled.
He specifically told Aishwarya that she would appear without makeup during the first hour of the film. According to Ghai, the actor readily agreed, telling him she would do whatever he asked.
For the filmmaker, the decision was ultimately about serving the character rather than relying on an actor's existing image.
Taal, starring Anil Kapoor alongside Aishwarya and Akshaye, went on to become a major hit in India and overseas. Its music, performances and visual style have since cemented its place as one of the defining musical films of the late 1990s.
Subhash Ghai is also planning a Taal sequel nearly 27 years after the original, but without Aishwarya Rai or the original cast.
