Updated on: 09 October, 2026 05:00 PM IST |Kavya Agarwal
11 years ago, Jazbaa brought Aishwarya Rai Bachchan back to the big screen after a five-year break, pairing her with the late Irrfan Khan in a gripping action thriller. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, the film followed a successful lawyer whose world falls apart when her daughter is kidnapped, forcing her to defend a man accused of a horrific crime. As the film completes 11 years, lets revisit some lesser-known facts, intriguing details and behind-the-scenes stories that make this thriller worth remembering.
A first-time on-screen pairing
Despite both being prominent global faces of Indian cinema, Jazbaa marked the very first time that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and the Late Irrfan Khan worked together on a film project.
Despite both being prominent global faces of Indian cinema, Jazbaa marked the very first time that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and the Late Irrfan Khan worked together on a film project.
A first-day standing ovation
On Aishwarya's very first day filming an intense argument scene with Irrfan Khan at a local eatery, the crew was so blown away by her delivery that they gave her a spontaneous standing ovation as soon as the director yelled cut.
On Aishwarya's very first day filming an intense argument scene with Irrfan Khan at a local eatery, the crew was so blown away by her delivery that they gave her a spontaneous standing ovation as soon as the director yelled cut.
The strict dark-wardrobe rule
If you look closely at the styling of the film, Aishwarya Rai and Irrfan Khan are dressed exclusively in black clothes throughout the entire runtime of the movie. This monochromatic wardrobe choice was intentionally designed to fit the grim, fast-paced, and high-octane mood of the underworld and legal battlefields.
If you look closely at the styling of the film, Aishwarya Rai and Irrfan Khan are dressed exclusively in black clothes throughout the entire runtime of the movie. This monochromatic wardrobe choice was intentionally designed to fit the grim, fast-paced, and high-octane mood of the underworld and legal battlefields.
Real-life motherhood on set
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s priority during filming was her daughter, Aaradhya. To balance both roles perfectly, she only agreed to do the film because it was shot entirely in Mumbai. Director Sanjay Gupta revealed that for late-night shoots, Aaradhya would sleep inside Aishwarya's vanity van on location. On one occasion around 3:00 AM, her staff rushed out because the toddler had vomited, showcasing the immense multitasking Aishwarya managed while filming heavy dramatic scenes.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s priority during filming was her daughter, Aaradhya. To balance both roles perfectly, she only agreed to do the film because it was shot entirely in Mumbai. Director Sanjay Gupta revealed that for late-night shoots, Aaradhya would sleep inside Aishwarya's vanity van on location. On one occasion around 3:00 AM, her staff rushed out because the toddler had vomited, showcasing the immense multitasking Aishwarya managed while filming heavy dramatic scenes.
An official Korean remake (with a twist)
While Sanjay Gupta is frequently known for drawing unofficial "inspiration" from foreign cinema, Jazbaa was an officially licensed remake of the acclaimed 2007 South Korean thriller Seven Days. However, unlike the original Korean version, which featured highly graphic violence and gore, the Indian counterpart completely scrubbed out the gore to cater to family audiences while amplifying the emotional melodrama.
While Sanjay Gupta is frequently known for drawing unofficial "inspiration" from foreign cinema, Jazbaa was an officially licensed remake of the acclaimed 2007 South Korean thriller Seven Days. However, unlike the original Korean version, which featured highly graphic violence and gore, the Indian counterpart completely scrubbed out the gore to cater to family audiences while amplifying the emotional melodrama.
