Soha Ali Khan Replaced by Rani Mukerji in Debut Film, Faced Financial Woes

Soha Ali Khan, daughter of legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan and actress Sharmila Tagore and sister of actor Saif Ali Khan, once gave up her stable banking job to pursue her dreams in films. She had been offered a debut role by director Amol Palekar and even quit her job at Citibank and moved out to prepare for shooting.

However, everything changed when Shah Rukh Khan came onboard the project. With SRK’s entry, Soha was told she would be replaced, and Rani Mukerji eventually got the role she had expected to play.

This decision left Soha in a precarious situation. She had already resigned, given up financial stability, and was struggling to pay her rent of ₹17,000 a month in Mumbai. She shared that this was a big blow both emotionally and financially, because until contracts are signed and shooting begins, nothing is guaranteed in Bollywood.

Despite this early setback, Soha Ali Khan went on to have her Bollywood debut in Dil Maange More!!! and later won praise for roles in Rang De Basanti, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, among others.