Here's what Will Smith said about Aishwarya Rai when she said 'no' to work with him

There was a time when Aishwarya Rai turned down many Hollywood films. Among those are few films with Will Smith

In the early 20s Aishwarya Rai was seen doing many Hollywood movies like The Mistress of Spices, Bride & Prejudice, Provoked, The Last Legion and The Pink Panther 2.  

In the early 20s Aishwarya Rai was seen doing many Hollywood movies like The Mistress of Spices, Bride & Prejudice, Provoked, The Last Legion and The Pink Panther 2.

Not just that she was also called in many chat shows in the west where she made India proud. During a chat show with Oprah Winfrey she showed the world how to wear a saree and also gifted the host one.

Not just that she was also called in many chat shows in the west where she made India proud. During a chat show with Oprah Winfrey she showed the world how to wear a saree and also gifted the host one.

But did you know, Aishwarya given an offer to be a part of Brad Pitt-starrer Troy and Will Smith's films like Hitch, Seven Pounds and Tonight He Comes.  

But did you know, Aishwarya given an offer to be a part of Brad Pitt-starrer Troy and Will Smith's films like Hitch, Seven Pounds and Tonight He Comes.

In an interview, Will Smith once revealed that he "really wanted to work with Aishwarya". Talking about Rai, he added, "She has this powerful energy where she doesn't have to say anything, do anything, she can just stand there. Anything she's making, I'll be there."   

In an interview, Will Smith once revealed that he "really wanted to work with Aishwarya". Talking about Rai, he added, "She has this powerful energy where she doesn't have to say anything, do anything, she can just stand there. Anything she's making, I'll be there." 

While the press in the USA declared that Aishwarya turned down the roles because she "preferred to return to Mumbai to starve herself for a religious occasion", the actress revealed that was not the case.   

While the press in the USA declared that Aishwarya turned down the roles because she "preferred to return to Mumbai to starve herself for a religious occasion", the actress revealed that was not the case. 

She said, "That's completely incorrect. The script reading for The Seven Pounds was just after Diwali when Dadimaa (Teji Bachchan)'s health dipped drastically. So I didn't make that trip out to LA for the reading session with Will. Is that wrong? Not to me. I'd any day put family over career." 

She said, "That's completely incorrect. The script reading for The Seven Pounds was just after Diwali when Dadimaa (Teji Bachchan)'s health dipped drastically. So I didn't make that trip out to LA for the reading session with Will. Is that wrong? Not to me. I'd any day put family over career."