Sneha Ullal Reflects on Bollywood Debut and Comparisons to Aishwarya Rai
Actor Sneha Ullal made headlines in 2005, not only for her Bollywood debut opposite Salman Khan in the film Lucky: No Time for Love, but also due to widespread perceptions that she closely resembled Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The media and fans frequently labeled her as the 'doppelganger' of the acclaimed actress, sparking intense public interest and speculation.
Salman Khan's Supportive On-Set Behavior
In a recent interview with AlphaNeon Studioz, Sneha Ullal shared insights into her experience working with Salman Khan during the filming of her debut movie. She emphasized the significant support she received from the superstar, stating, "Salman Khan supported me a lot during the Lucky shoot." When questioned about whether Salman ever displayed impatience with her as a newcomer, she responded, "Not even once. He was very patient with me, very supportive. Salman Khan didn't show the Salman Khan attitude to me that people know about."
Addressing Rumors and Comparisons to Aishwarya Rai
The actress also addressed long-standing rumors that Salman Khan cast her in Lucky because of her resemblance to Aishwarya Rai, with whom Salman had a reported relationship in 1999 before their separation. Sneha explained, "The PR activity was like this. Obviously, I was coming with Salman Khan, so people will recognise me like that, but it never bothered me because I was very young, and I had no ego." She added that the comparisons did not affect her, noting, "I have never been beauty conscious and these comparisons never bothered me."
A Heartwarming Encounter with Aishwarya Rai
Sneha Ullal recalled a memorable meeting with Aishwarya Rai during the peak of her Bollywood career. She described how warmly Aishwarya greeted her despite the constant media comparisons. Sneha revealed, "I met Aishwarya once, and she said 'Welcome to the family. Welcome to Bollywood', something like that. I told her 'I'm sorry, please don't hate me'. There was so much comparison in the media at that time, I didn't know if she took offence." This interaction highlighted Aishwarya's graciousness and professionalism.
Unexpected Entry into Bollywood
The actor shared that her entry into films was entirely unexpected. According to Sneha, she was noticed by friends of Arpita Khan Sharma while she was just beginning college. Around the same period, auditions were taking place for Lucky, which ultimately led to her casting. She explained, "I never wanted to come in acting. I was in college. When Aishwarya Rai became Miss World at that time, I was becoming Miss World in my own world because when she got recognised globally, I became famous in my small world because a lot of people used to tell me that I look like her."
She further elaborated that many individuals had encouraged her to pursue acting before Lucky materialized, but she had never seriously considered it. Sneha stated, "Many people had approached me before to become an actor, but I was not interested in it. I have been a tomboy, and I'm not glamorous."
This candid reflection offers a unique glimpse into Sneha Ullal's journey, underscoring the challenges and support she encountered in the early stages of her Bollywood career.
