Lead (Pb) is a highly stable heavy metal in soil-plant system which severely affects growth, physiology and ion dynamics of plants by modifying rhizospheric pH. The current study was planned to screen the pH triggering effects of two Solanum melongena L. cultivars (cv. Chuttu and cv. VRIB-13) as well as associated plant physiological responses and ionomic profiles under Pb stress. Plants were grown in black plastic containers having nutrient solutions supplemented with 0, 15, 20 and 25 mM PbCl₂ with a starting pH of 6.0. The pH and proton dynamics in the rhizosphere of Pb stressed S. melongena plants were continuously monitored up to 8 days. Plants were subsequently harvested and analyzed for different physio-biochemical and ionic attributes. Time scale studies revealed that cv. Chuttu and cv. VRIB-13 responded by causing acidosis and basification of growth medium during first 48 h of Pb stress, respectively. Up to 8 days of Pb treatment, both cultivars increased the rhizospheric pH except for 20 mM Pb treatment where rhizospheric acidosis of 0.125 and 0.15 units was recorded for Chuttu and cv. VRIB-13, respectively. Maximum pH increase of 1.21 units was recorded for cv. VRIB-13 at 15 mM Pb level and 0.8 units for cv. Chuttu at 25 mM Pb treatment. Pb toxicity significantly reduced plant biomass, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll contents, carotenoids and anthocyanin), ascorbic acid, total amino acid and total protein and the effects were significantly more apparent in cv. Chuttu than the cv. VRIB-13. Interestingly, the chlorophyll contents of cv. VRIB-13 increased with increasing Pb treatment levels. The Pb contents of roots and shoots of both cultivars increased with increase in applied Pb levels while nutrient (Ca, Mg, K and Fe) contents decreased predominately in cv. Chuttu. Due to antagonistic effect of Pb toxicity, the Na uptake and translocation from roots to shoot was also increased in both cultivars. Taken together, rhizospheric basification response, lower root to shoot Pb translocation and optimum balance of nutrients (Mg and Fe) conferred the growth enhancement, ultimately making the cv. VRIB-13 auspicious for tolerating Pb toxicity as compared to cv. Chuttu. The research outcomes are important while devising metallicolous plant-based strategies to remediate Pb polluted rhizosphere/soils.