In the ever-evolving landscape of Bollywood, the path not taken can sometimes alter the trajectory of stardom. Such is the tale of Ranbir Kapoor, a name that reverberates with excellence in Hindi cinema. Having delivered hits like “Animal,” “Brahmastra,” “Sanju,” and “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,” Kapoor’s journey is not without fascinating forks in the road—decisions that sent sizable waves across the industry, cementing the stardom of his contemporary, Ranveer Singh.
Venturing back to a pivotal moment, Singh’s entry into Bollywood could have taken a different shape had it not been for Kapoor’s decision to turn down a project that now stands as a cult classic. “Band Baaja Baaraat,” the film that became the launch pad for Singh in 2010, was initially offered to Kapoor. Recounting his missed opportunity on “Koffee With Karan 4,” Kapoor revealed that passing on the role remains a regret. Singh, seizing the chance with both hands, ascribed his breakthrough to Kapoor’s refusal. “YRF was looking for a new face, I got a call, and I knew this was the opportunity I was waiting for,” Singh revealed in an interview with Rajeev Masand at the News18 Rising India Summit.
Another film where destiny intervened was Zoya Akhtar’s “Dil Dhadakne Do,” which collected Rs 151 crore worldwide. The film, which explores the nuances of a dysfunctional family, was initially envisaged with real-life cousins Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan in mind. However, due to scheduling clashes, Ranbir stepped away from the project, resulting in Kareena’s exit as her interest hinged on the unique proposition of working with her cousin on-screen. The role ultimately went to Ranveer Singh, who stepped into the shoes of Kabir Mehra, fortifying his position in the industry.
The third instance of Kapoor stepping away from a project that Singh eventually embraced was the critically acclaimed “Gully Boy.” When Zoya Akhtar approached Kapoor for the role of MC Sher, a character pivotal to the narrative, Kapoor chose not to accept the supporting part alongside Singh. The role of the charismatic mentor went to debutant Siddhant Chaturvedi, while Singh immortalized the lead character, Murad, captivating audiences and critics alike. “Gully Boy” not only smashed box office records but also highlighted the depth of Singh’s acting prowess.
These choices, consciously or not, have defined the paths of two of Bollywood’s leading men. While Kapoor continues to enchant audiences with his versatile performances, Singh’s filmography has been undeniably enriched by these titles. His next outing in Rohit Shetty’s cop universe film “Singham Again” is highly anticipated, promising an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tiger Shroff, and Arjun Kapoor. Meanwhile, Kapoor is set to star as Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s forthcoming epic, “Ramayana,” with the cast speculated to include Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana.
These narratives, these decisions, resonate with the unpredictable nature of the film industry; a world where one’s choice can spotlight another’s fortune. This kaleidoscope of ‘what could have been’ not only draws intrigue from cinema aficionados but also highlights the importance of intuition and fate in the serendipitous realm of stardom. Amid an industry that continues to evolve, these stories of missed opportunities and coincidental successes remain as captivating as the films they birthed.
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