Nayanthara Missed Opportunity: Why She Turned Down a Role in Shah Rukh Khan’s “Chennai Express”

Nayanthara, the prominent actress from the South Indian film industry, could have made her debut in Hindi cinema a decade ago, alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Interestingly, the opportunity she missed was not for a lead role but for a special appearance in a popular song.

It all goes back to the 2013 Bollywood blockbuster “Chennai Express,” directed by Rohit Shetty and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. In this film, there was a memorable song titled “One Two Three Four.” While actress Priyamani eventually performed in this song, Nayanthara was originally offered the opportunity.

Nayanthara’s connection with Bollywood began with “Chennai Express,” where she could have been a part of this fun, foot-tapping number. However, she decided to turn down the offer. Reports suggest that at the time, Nayanthara was already a highly regarded actress in the South Indian film industry and was primarily interested in meaty, substantial roles in women-centric movies rather than special appearances in songs.

Additionally, some reports indicated that Nayanthara’s personal life may have influenced her decision. She had recently ended a relationship with Prabhu Deva, who was a prominent choreographer and filmmaker, and the song “One Two Three Four” was choreographed by Prabhu Deva’s brother, Raju Sundaram. It’s believed that the association with her former partner might have played a role in her refusal of the offer.

As a result, the opportunity to dance alongside Shah Rukh Khan in “Chennai Express” went to Priyamani, who delivered an energetic and memorable performance in the song.

A decade later, in the film “Jawan,” Nayanthara was part of the cast, sharing the screen with Shah Rukh Khan. It’s worth noting that while “Jawan” turned out to be a box office hit, another film, “Iraivan,” in which Nayanthara appeared around the same time, had a relatively below-average performance at the box office.

Nayanthara’s journey in the film industry has been marked by her pursuit of substantial roles and her steadfast commitment to her craft. Her decision to turn down the special appearance in “Chennai Express” was influenced by her desire for more significant and prominent roles in the movies she chose to be a part of.

While she may have missed out on a Bollywood cameo, Nayanthara’s illustrious career in the South Indian film industry has solidified her status as one of the industry’s leading actresses, and she continues to shine on the silver screen with her compelling performances.

Note: This information is based on historical reports and should be taken as an account of the circumstances surrounding Nayanthara’s decision at that time.

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