MUMBAI: Given the big hitters that worked on it over the years --the three aces Mani Ratnam, Gulzar, and cinematographer Santosh Sivan, besides Shah Rukh Khan, Farah Khan, and of course Malaika Arora -- "Chhaiyya Chhaiyya" has become an iconic song.

Who can forget Malaika moving to the rhythm of the "Dil Se" song by A.R. Rahman, which had the beat of a moving train? Interesting though it may seem, Malaika wasn't the first option for the role. Five actresses had withdrawn from the song's performance.

Farah Khan, a choreographer and director, told the anecdote about how all five of the actresses namely Shilpa Shetty, Shilpa Shirodkar, and "two or three more people-- refused to dance to the song.

The producer-director-choreographer and Malaika's close friend Farah Khan Kunder will pay a pleasant visit to Malaika in the first episode of the show, "Moving In With Malaika," which marks Malaika's OTT debut. The two travel back in time and share stories about how Malaika Arora was created. They discuss many things, including her past and present.

When discussing the song throughout the chat, Farah says, "The "Chaiyya Chaiyya" girl, you are. But fortunately for you, five heroines had decided not to board the train." The movie "Chhaiyya Chhaiyya" was filmed on a moving train. Each actress had a different justification for not singing along to the song.

Farah adds: "Malaika was not even a blip. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Shilpa Shirodkar, and possibly two or three additional people were approached. One was not available since one feared the thought of trying to climb onto the train. The makeup artist then said, "Malaika is a very good dancer." We were genuinely curious to see if she would succeed when she walked into the train. We already know what happened next." The Disney+ Hotstar original series "Moving In With Malaika," produced by Banijay Asia and Malaika Arora, will debut on December 5.

James McAvoy reveals why lobbying process put him off Oscars

Will Smith opens what Rihanna loved the most about Emancipation

Allu Arjun tals Russian fans in their local language and Pushparaj style