Released in 2012, the film ‘Agneepath’ holds a special place in Indian cinema as it saw Hrithik Roshan stepping into the iconic role originally portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan in the 1990 film of the same name. The remake, directed by Karan Malhotra and produced by Karan Johar, featured an ensemble cast including Priyanka Chopra, Rishi Kapoor, and Sanjay Dutt. Despite its success, there’s an intriguing behind-the-scenes story involving seasoned actor and casting director Abhishek Banerjee, who was fired from the film’s casting team.
Abhishek Banerjee recently shared his experience during an interview with Siddharth Kannan. He revealed that Dharma Productions, led by Karan Johar, ousted him for casting actors with a style more akin to those in Anurag Kashyap’s films. Abhishek reminisced, “We were removed from Agneepath. We were doing the casting for Agneepath, but then Jogi Bhai came in. Why were we removed? Because they didn’t like the casting. Karan Sir didn’t like it. We were bringing in actors who were more like Anurag Kashyap’s style, which they didn’t like. So, they said, ‘Get out of our film!’ We thought our careers were ruined, finished! We were out of Dharma Productions, and it was over! But thankfully, we were saved.”
Despite the setback, ‘Agneepath’ turned out to be a significant film not just for Hrithik Roshan, but also for Bollywood. It paid homage to the original by bringing back the powerful storyline and the character of Vijay Deenanath Chauhan, a role immortalized by Amitabh Bachchan. The film also starred late actors Om Puri and Rishi Kapoor in crucial roles, making it even more memorable for audiences.
Banerjee’s journey in the film industry began with theater work in New Delhi. He made his on-screen debut with the acclaimed film ‘Rang De Basanti’, starring Aamir Khan. His role as a casting director was cemented when he worked on films like ‘Knock Out’.
. Abhishek’s talent for identifying the perfect actors for roles led him to work on several significant projects. His portfolio includes movies such as ‘The Dirty Picture’, ‘No One Killed Jessica’, ‘Dear Dad’, ‘Do Lafzon Ki Kahani’, ‘Rock On 2’, ‘Ok Jaanu’, ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, ‘Secret Superstar’, and ‘Ajji’.
As an actor, Banerjee has made notable contributions to films like ‘Phillauri’, ‘Ajji’, ‘Stree’, ‘Bhediya’, ‘Bala’, ‘Arjun Patiala’, and ‘Dream Girl’. His versatility doesn’t end on the big screen; he has also made significant inroads into digital entertainment with appearances in popular web series such as ‘Mirzapur’, ‘Typewriter’, and ‘Pataal Lok’.
During an episode of ‘Aapka Apna Zakir’, hosted by standup comedian and actor Zakir Khan, Abhishek expressed his admiration for Amitabh Bachchan. “We all are such big fans of Mr Bachchan. I remember once my uncle’s wedding came to a standstill as the entire family eagerly awaited his iconic dialogue from the movie Agneepath — ‘Vijay Deenanath Chauhan’ on TV. Once he delivered it, the celebration resumed,” he shared nostalgically.
The film ‘Agneepath’ remains one of the treasured classics of Indian cinema and continues to be among the audience’s favourite films. Hrithik Roshan’s portrayal of the iconic character won him much acclaim, and the film’s gripping story along with stellar performances from the entire cast ensured its success.
Abhishek Banerjee’s encounter with the ‘Agneepath’ casting scenario serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the film industry. One moment, a career might seem to be teetering on the edge, and in the next, new opportunities arise. Banerjee managed to steer through the turbulent waters and emerged as one of the industry’s respected casting directors and actors.
As he continues to thrive in his career, Abhishek Banerjee’s tales from the past add layers to his professional narrative. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and continuous evolution, characteristics that have kept him relevant in an ever-changing industry. With recent releases like ‘Stree 2’ and ‘Vedaa’, Banerjee is riding high, still contributing significantly to Indian entertainment both in front of and behind the camera.
Ultimately, the memory of being removed from ‘Agneepath’ for casting choices reflecting Anurag Kashyap’s style has only added to the rich tapestry of Abhishek Banerjee’s illustrious career, reminding him—and us—that every cloud has a silver lining.
