Aishwarya Rai Bachchan replaces Kangana Ranaut and Sonakshi Sinha — Sarabjit Singh’s biopic
It all started with Sonakshi Sinha being announced as the heroine who’d play the role of Sarabjit Singh's sister in the biopic. The film, in the meantime, changed quite a few hands with different producers and directors coming into the picture. Later, it was reported that Kangana Ranaut would act in the film, and that it’d be directed by Hansal Mehta. There was further change when it was finally announced that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Omung Kumar (director of Mary Kom ) would join hands for the biopic. While Sonakshi Sinha has moved on, Kangana and Hansal are now coming together for another film called Simran .
Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt replace Salman Khan/Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan —Shuddhi
One of the most delayed films in recent history, Shuddhi was originally supposed to star Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Later, when Hrithik bowed out , Salman Khan was announced as the leading man by Karan Johar. While the heroine wasn’t announced, Deepika Padukone was said to be the closest contender. However, Salman backed out, forcing Karan to return to his ‘student’ Varun Dhawan.
Diljit Dosanjh replaces Ayushmann Khurrana —Udta Punjab
There was a time when Abhishek Chowbey’s Udta Punjab was to feature Ayushmann Khurrana as one of the leading men, apart from Shahid Kapoor. However, rumour has it that when Kareena Kapoor Khan stepped into the film, the game was thrown wide open for new casting decisions to be taken. The name of Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh, who recently delivered a blockbuster in Sardaar Ji , started making the rounds. Though there was no official announcement made around Ayushmann’s entry or exit, Diljit was eventually cast as the leading man opposite Kareena.
Fawad Khan and Priyanka Chopra replace Saif Ali Khan/Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut —Mr. Chaalu
Though the film hasn’t gone on the floors yet, for the moment, it is Fawad Khan and Priyanka Chopra who have been cast. It started with a different cast though, as Saif Ali Khan and Kangana Ranaut were the original choices. However, Saif was reportedly unhappy with the remuneration and decided to move on. Shahid Kapoor’s name was spoken about, but eventually it was Fawad Khan who was finalised. As for Kangana, she opted out citing date issues. Priyanka Chopra gladly accepted the part.
Imran Khan replaces Prateik and Ayushmann Khurrana —Bhoole Se Naam Na Lo Pyaar Ka(Milan Talkies)
Now this is life coming full circle. When Milan Talkies was first announced, Prateik was supposed to feature as the protagonist. However, films such as My Friend Pinto and Issaq happened, and he became history. The film went to Imran Khan, and it all seemed to be going well, until producer Ekta Kapoor and Imran made Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara . After a public fall-out, Imran moved away from Milan Talkies, and it seemed all but sealed that Ayushmann Khurrana would step in for this Tigmanshu Dhulia film. However, it all winded to a close with Imran Khan coming back with a new title — Bhoole Se Naam Na Lo Pyaar Ka .
Konkona Sen Sharma replaces Tabu —Akira
When Akira was announced with Sonakshi Sinha playing the protagonist, she was supposed to be accompanied by Tabu, who was roped in for the part of a cop. Though not much has been revealed about her exit from the film, it was unofficially stated that Tabu wanted to pick only one film as a cop, and she chose Drishyam . The hunt for a replacement didn’t take long for director A.R. Murugadoss, as he settled for Konkona Sen Sharma, who is also making a comeback of sorts in a ‘masala’ role.
Riteish Deshmukh replaces Kapil Sharma —Bank Chor
Was it the tweet, or was it not? One would never know if Kapil Sharma’s sudden exit from the film was the result of a tweet gone wrong. However, it is known to all that it was a sudden decision by Yash Raj Films to move on to a new hero for Bank Chor , which also features Vivek Oberoi in a principal role. Riteish Deshmukh came onboard with the film yet to see the light of day.
Aditya Roy Kapur and Tabu replace Sushant Singh Rajput and Rekha —Fitoor
Abhishek Kapoor has been waiting for quite some time to make Fitoor a reality, despite delivering two back-to-back successes with Kai Po Che! and Rock On!! . It almost seemed like a given that Sushant Singh Rajput would step in, but since that didn’t happen (and resulted in some heartburn too), Aditya Roy Kapur was roped in. There was more trouble ahead though, what with Rekha shooting for a large portion of the film and then opting out. Abhishek didn’t mind that either, and Tabu, the original choice for Fitoor , was roped in.
Amy Jackson replaces Kriti Sanon —Singh is Bling
For petite Kriti Sanon, it was a huge moment to be roped in opposite Akshay Kumar for Singh is Bling . With Prabhu Deva at the helm of affairs, she was assured of a big commercial outing. However, with the film taking some time to go on the floors, there was another major offer waiting for her in the form of Dilwale — a Rohit Shetty film with Varun Dhawan, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Too big to resist, she had a polite conversation with the makers of Singh is Bling, who understood her predicament and let her go. Amy Jackson stepped in, as she was hugely popular because of Shankar’s I.
