In the dynamic landscape of Bollywood, casting decisions often shape the destiny of a film. Recently, two Hindi films, “Animal” and “Sam Bahadur,” made waves at the box office, with stellar performances by their lead actors, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, respectively. However, fate could have taken a different turn as another actor was initially considered for the roles.
For Meghna Gulzar’s “Sam Bahadur,” which portrays the life of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Ranveer Singh was the initial choice. Meghna approached Ranveer for the role, but due to prior commitments, Ranveer had to decline. At that time, Ranveer was deeply engrossed in the shooting of “83,” the film depicting the Indian cricket team’s 1983 World Cup victory. Additionally, he had allocated dates for Karan Johar’s “Takht,” a project that was later shelved. The timing constraints led Ranveer to pass on the opportunity, eventually landing Vicky Kaushal in the role.
Similarly, for Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s “Animal,” Ranveer Singh was reportedly the first choice for the lead role. However, Ranveer, after careful consideration, decided to decline the offer. The actor felt that the role and the film’s theme were too dark for his preference. As a result, Ranbir Kapoor stepped into the shoes of the protagonist.
Post-pandemic, Ranveer Singh’s cinematic journey faced mixed results. While “83” garnered appreciation for its retelling of historical cricket glory, the film faced challenges at the box office due to pandemic-related restrictions. Subsequent releases like “Cirkus” and “Jayeshbhai Jordaar” did not achieve significant success. However, Ranveer made a triumphant return with the superhit “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani,” directed by Karan Johar, signaling a positive turn in his recent box office ventures.
In Bollywood, casting decisions are pivotal, and the choices made by actors can significantly impact the narrative of a film. Ranveer Singh’s ability to choose diverse roles and navigate through a spectrum of genres continues to be a fascinating aspect of his career, showcasing his versatility and dedication to storytelling.
