If all had gone well, Mardaani’s arch-villain Raj Tahir Bhasin would have bagged a meaty role opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the main antagonist in Sanjay Gupta’s Jazbaa.
However, the casting fell through even before negotiation. Apparently, YRF’s blue-eyed boy isn’t allowed to sign any films without mentor Aditya Chopra’s consent. Says a filmmaker, “It is very embarrassing to have one’s offer and script filtered through the Chopras, so I’d rather approach someone more accessible.”
Now, Gupta has approached Abhimanyu Singh who has starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela among other films. Not wanting to divulge much about his role, Singh says, “I play a character who goes through many changes. He starts off one way and ends up in another. It’s a challenging role.”
Equally challenging is the role that Abhimanyu has bagged with Tamil superstar Vikram in 10 Enradhukulla. “I can’t begin to tell you what a pleasure it was to work with Vikram. He is such a brilliant actor and so hassle-free. I’ve worked with actors with not even an iota of his talent, who gave me hell.”
