Renowned ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar has shared fascinating behind-the-scenes details about casting Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the legendary 1993 Pepsi commercial that launched her into the national spotlight nearly two years before her Miss World victory.
The Iconic Casting Decision
In a recent interview, Kakkar disclosed the intensive four-month search that finally led him to a completely unknown Aishwarya Rai. The advertisement featured Aamir Khan, Mahima Chaudhary, and a then-unknown Aishwarya Rai, ultimately becoming legendary for its memorable tagline: "Yeh hai right choice baby."
Kakkar emphasized that while the advertising agency selected Mahima Chaudhary, he personally chose both Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai. Explaining his decision to cast Aamir, Kakkar noted that after watching Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, he recognized the actor had established a clean, good-guy persona that audiences had already embraced.
Why Aamir Khan Over Shah Rukh Khan
Interestingly, Kakkar revealed he had the option to choose between two Khans for the pivotal role. "I love Shah Rukh, but he wasn't the character. He would have had to play the character," Kakkar explained. "Aamir already had the legacy; people would naturally assume this was an extension of his Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak persona."
This strategic casting decision proved crucial since establishing a character from scratch in a 30-60 second commercial presented significant challenges, and Aamir's pre-existing image provided immediate audience connection.
Discovering Aishwarya Rai's Raw Talent
The most challenging aspect proved to be finding the perfect female lead. Kakkar spent four months searching before discovering Aishwarya, who had no prior acting or advertising experience. "I had to work on her because she was completely raw. She hadn't done anything before," Kakkar recalled.
Despite her inexperience, Kakkar saw something special in the young Aishwarya. "She had all the attributes of 'arrestingness' that I needed for those four seconds. I wanted people to look at her and say 'Wow!'—but it also had to go beyond that."
The filming process required immense patience, with Kakkar revealing that it took about 18 takes to capture Aishwarya's now-iconic four-second appearance where she walks into the frame, stands provocatively, and delivers her line: "Hi, I am Sanju... Got another Pepsi?"
Aishwarya's Moment of Doubt
During the shoot, Aishwarya experienced significant self-doubt, confronting Kakkar with her concerns. "In the middle of the shoot she turned to me and said, 'I can't do it. This isn't happening,'" Kakkar remembered.
When he took her aside for guidance, Aishwarya revealed the root of her struggle: "I can't because I haven't experienced it. I have never had a boyfriend. How do I go before a man and behave like a woman?"
Despite these challenges, Kakkar remained confident in his choice, recognizing that her innocence and raw quality actually enhanced her performance. Her body language naturally challenged Aamir's character, creating the compelling dynamic that made the advertisement so memorable.
The commercial immediately transformed Aishwarya into "the Pepsi girl" overnight, capturing the nation's attention and setting the stage for her remarkable career that continues to flourish decades later.
