 Shahrukh Khan (qv) wanted Aishwarya Rai (qv) to be cast in the  role of Kaurwaki. However, the director, Santosh Sivan (qv),  wanted to cast an actress whom he hadnt already been paired with in  a leading role. Shahrukh also recommended Sushmita Sen (qv) to  play the singing dancer in the bar.