The recent blockbuster success of Ranveer Singh's film 'Dhurandhar' has once again ignited the ever-present discussion comparing the two reigning superstars of Bollywood's current generation: Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor. As both actors navigate peaks and valleys in their careers, a fascinating revelation has surfaced about one of Kapoor's notable box office setbacks.
The Original Choice for 'Bombay Velvet'
In a candid interview with SCREEN, acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap disclosed a significant piece of Bollywood trivia. He revealed that his ambitious 2015 period crime drama, 'Bombay Velvet', was originally conceived with Ranveer Singh in mind for the lead role. Kashyap explained that the project was not initially a high-budget venture. "The film was not a high-budget film initially. It was sold at a very high budget, and it took me time to get around to that and to the change of actor," the director stated.
Elaborating on the casting shift, the 'Gangs of Wasseypur' director added, "Earlier, when I wrote it, it was for Ranveer Singh. He was much fresher then. But everybody sold it on the basis of Ranbir, and the actor changed." Kashyap admitted that it took him nearly a year to mentally adjust to this fundamental change and regain his creative footing for the project.
Kashyap's Praise for Ranbir Kapoor's Commitment
Despite the initial creative hurdle of envisioning one actor but working with another, Anurag Kashyap was full of praise for the actor who ultimately took on the role. He described the process as "terrific" and acknowledged the challenge. "When you write something thinking of one actor and then have to work with another, it takes time," he shared.
Kashyap was quick to clarify that the issue was never with Ranbir Kapoor's talent. "Ranbir himself is a great actor; there was no issue there," he emphasized. The filmmaker attributed the adjustment period solely to his own process. "And it was terrific. Ranbir’s commitment was terrific. He is literally a dream actor to work with. Once I wrapped my head around that, we started working, and it was a terrific time to create the film," Kashyap concluded, highlighting Kapoor's professional dedication.
Recalling the 'Bombay Velvet' Release
Directed by Anurag Kashyap, 'Bombay Velvet' was released in cinemas on May 15, 2015. The film featured an ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Karan Johar, and Kay Kay Menon. Despite its grand scale and star power, the film unfortunately failed to recover its substantial production budget at the box office, marking it as a commercial disappointment.
This revelation adds a new layer to the ongoing narrative of the Ranveer vs. Ranbir dynamic in Bollywood. It underscores how casting decisions, often influenced by market forces beyond a director's initial vision, can alter the trajectory of a film. While 'Bombay Velvet' remains a chapter in Ranbir Kapoor's filmography, it intriguingly began as a role imagined for his contemporary, Ranveer Singh.
