Why Ranveer Singh Said No to Kabir Singh: Sandeep Reddy Vanga Spills the Beans
Did you know that the blockbuster hit “Kabir Singh” nearly had a different leading man? Did you know that Ranveer Singh was initially considered for the lead role in the Hindi version of Arjun Reddy, later titled Kabir Singh? In a revealing interview with iDream Media, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the mastermind behind both the Telugu original “Arjun Reddy” and its Hindi counterpart “Kabir Singh,” spilled the beans on the initial choice for the titular role.
Contrary to popular belief, it was Ranveer Singh who was Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s first pick for the intense character of Kabir Singh. The director admitted to approaching Ranveer Singh, expressing his desire to collaborate on the project. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Ranveer declined the offer, deeming the character’s darkness too intense for his liking.This opened the door for Shahid Kapoor to step into the role that would eventually redefine his career.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga, in the interview, confessed that he did not initially believe the Hindi remake would succeed. However, after Ranveer Singh’s refusal, he entrusted Shahid Kapoor with the challenge. Despite concerns about Shahid’s box office track record at the time, Sandeep Reddy Vanga remained confident in the actor’s abilities. He revealed, “Shahid’s performance history was concerning; at the time, none of his solo projects had brought in more than ₹100 crore; his greatest was ₹65 crore. They used to say that Telugu films make between 55 and 65 crores. ‘Why are you doing it with this guy? The box office would be higher if Ranveer were in it.’ Shahid, nevertheless, is a fantastic actor, so I was always confident in him.
Kabir Singh” went on to become a massive hit, grossing around 380 crore worldwide, proving the doubters wrong and solidifying Shahid Kapoor’s stature in Bollywood. Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who is gearing up for his next release, “Animal,” featuring Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Ranbir Kapoor, reflects on the journey that could have been and the unexpected success that followed. “Animal” is set to hit theatres on December 1, promising another intriguing chapter in the director’s filmography.
