They were good friends at one time. But in the world of Bollywood, it doesn’t take long for things to fall apart.

Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherjee were so good friends that Ash used to give Rani make-up tips.

But then things fell apart between the two. The situation got so bad that Ash never hesitated in saying (without taking any names) that she was hurt by some friends.

But looking into the career of both Ash and Rani, one sees that Ash’s loss has always been Rani’s gain.

Whichever movie Ash has rejected or for any reason not done, has landed in the lap of Rani and has given good impetus to the career of the Bengali damsel.

Ash was first signed for Chalte Chalte - Shah Rukh Khan ‘s home production, but when Salman Khan stormed the sets of the film, Ash was dropped like a hot cake.

Rani was signed in for the film and her gorgeous looks in the film were appreciated by one and all.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali , who directed Ash in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdaas , then approached Ash with the female lead role in Black , which also starred Amitabh Bachchan .

This time date hassles proved to be the decisive factor and Ash lost the film to Rani.

Rani’s performance in ‘Black’ was not only appreciated, but the film was selected amongst 10 best films of 2005 by Time magazine.

Ash was then considered for Aamir Khan ‘s historical ‘Mangal Pandey - The Rising .

Date hassles and Ash’s problems with the producers proved to be the decisive factors this time and Rani was signed in to play the role female lead role after Ash was dropped.

Though the film bombed, Rani’s performance was appreciated in the historical.

And now reports are that another movie, for which Ash was considered, has landed in Rani’s lap.

This film also belongs to Bhansali and is titled Saanvariya .

Incidentally, the movie doesn’t have as powerful a role as in ‘Black’ for Rani. Yet, the movie adds to the status of Rani in the industry.

In fact, the movie is a launch pad for two star kids - Anil Kapoor ’s daughter Sonam and Rishi Kapoor ’s son Ranveer — as a new pair.

Bhansali wanted Ash to act in ‘Saanvariya’, but he prefers Salman for the male lead.

Since relations between Salman and Ash continue to be too strained, the former Miss World had to opt out of it. Thus, Rani was signed in.

So, it can be said that Ash’s loss has always been Rani’s gain.