Director Dharmesh Darshan revealed actress Aishwarya Rai was the first choice for the 2000 film 'Mela' and not Twinkle Khanna. "She was also my first choice for the role of Memsaab in 'Raja Hindustani'. My heart was on her. But she urgently had to go for Miss World," he added. Darshan further stated he didn't want to take any chances.