How Arjun Kapoor lost Arjun Reddy to Shahid Kapoor

In the tussle between actor and director, it was the actor who lost out. That’s the story of how Arjun Kapoor lost the Hindi remake of the Telugu hit Arjun Reddy to Shahid Kapoor.

Arjun had first been approached for Arjun Reddy because of the eponymous connection. But, then Arjun wasn’t sure of Sandeep Reddy Vanga — the director of the original film — being able to carry off a Hindi film. “Arjun’s father, Boney Kapoor, has an office in Hyderabad and used to operate out of there a lot. He was told that Bollywood films should have directors who can carry off the local language well because when a south filmmaker directs a Hindi film, a few things get lost in translation. Arjun shares a close bond with his Tevar director Amit Sharma and wanted him to direct the film instead,” says the source.

Producers Murad Khetani and Ashwin Varde, who had bought the rights to the Hindi remake, were, however, keen to retain the essence of the original and insisted on Sandeep as the director.

“So, Arjun’s insistence on a director of his choice saw him out of the film and Shahid in,” adds the source.

The Telugu original Arjun Reddy released in August last year and was a huge success. The story is about a surgeon grappling with anger issues who goes into a downward spiral after his girlfriend gets married to someone else.

Shahid is now completing the shoot of Batti Gul Meter Chalu and will start filming for Arjun Reddy post that.

 — Sanskriti Media