Aishwarya Rai Became a Star in Just Four Seconds

How Aishwarya Rai’s first Pepsi ad made her a star alongside Aamir Khan.

The Magic of “Yeh Hai Right Choice Baby”

Do you remember that famous Pepsi commercial from 1993? Aamir Khan and Mahima Chaudhary were on TV, but in the end, a girl appeared for just four seconds and became the heartthrob of India.

That was Aishwarya Rai, who was neither Miss World nor a film star at the time. Just one line, “Hi, I am Sanju… Got another Pepsi?”

and she became famous overnight. Director Prahlad Kakkar recently shared an interesting story behind this ad, one that few people know.

Why was Aamir Khan the perfect choice?

Prahlad Kakkar explained that he also had Shah Rukh Khan in mind for this ad, but he chose Aamir Khan. The reason was clear—Aamir’s image.

After QSQT, Aamir had established himself as a “good boy” and innocent hero.

The ad was only 30-60 seconds long, and the director wanted a face that the audience would immediately trust.

Shah Rukh Khan was good, but at that time, the character probably didn’t suit him. Aamir’s established “clean image” made the ad’s work easier.

Aishwarya’s Innocence and 18 Takes

It took Prahlad four months to find Aishwarya Rai. When she arrived on set, she was completely “raw” and never acted. You won’t believe it, but that short scene required nearly 18 takes!

In the middle of the shoot, Aishwarya became so nervous that she told the director, “I can’t do this.” She said that she had never had a boyfriend, so how could she behave so “provocatively” in front of a man?

Became “Pepsi Girl” in four seconds

But this naiveté became her strength. According to Prahlad Kakkar, her innocence and swagger added a unique magic to the scene.

When she appeared on screen, her body language challenged Aamir Khan’s character without even saying a word.

It was just a four-second moment, but it made Aishwarya Rai “The Pepsi Girl.” Two years before she became Miss World, the world already knew who Aishwarya Rai was.