Did you know Ranbir Kapoor was the first choice for 'Raanjhanaa' before Dhanush?

Ranbir Kapoor, one of Bollywood's leading actors, was the original choice to play the lead role in the 2013 romantic drama 'Raanjhanaa,' a role that eventually soared South superstar Dhanush to fame in Hindi cinema. In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, the film's director, Aanand L Rai, revealed this intriguing piece of casting history.
Rai, who had recently found success with 'Tanu Weds Manu,' shared that when planning 'Raanjhanaa,' he initially envisioned Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role.However, due to scheduling conflicts, Ranbir Kapoor was unable to commit to the project. This led Rai and writer Himanshu Sharma to reassess their casting choices. Despite Ranbir Kapoor’s absence, Rai remained committed to telling the unique story they had developed.
"As a director who had just tasted success with 'Tanu Weds Manu,' if I had more faith in myself, I would have made 'Tanu Weds Manu 2.' But Himanshu and I felt that a story like 'Raanjhanaa' needed to be told," Rai explained. He highlighted that they realized their strength lay in being true to the story and casting actors who could bring authenticity to their roles. Rai went on to express his admiration for Ranbir Kapoor, describing him as an actor who can blend into the crowd with simplicity a quality Rai was seeking for the character. "An actor who keeps himself simple and lets himself blend into the crowd, which is a difficult thing, I believe, is Ranbir Kapoor. But he was not available at that time and as we were searching for such an actor, we found Dhanush."
Ultimately, Dhanush's portrayal in Raanjhanaa became iconic, with his performance earning widespread acclaim. The film, which also starred Sonam Kapoor, Abhay Deol, Swara Bhasker, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, was a significant commercial success and remains a beloved film in Bollywood.
Rai emphasized that the film was destined to be made with Dhanush, and his instinct proved right as the movie became a turning point in the actor's career, resonating with audiences across India.