Post by : Meena Ariff

Director Anurag Kashyap has revisited one of the most consequential casting decisions of his career—the change of lead actor in his 2013 film Bombay Velvet. The film, featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, had high ambitions but underperformed commercially and was dogged by delays and budget inflation, leaving a notable imprint on Kashyap’s career trajectory.

The Original Plan: Ranveer Singh as the Lead

Kashyap revealed that his initial intention was to cast Ranveer Singh, then a fresh face with only a handful of credits, in the role of Johnny Balraj. Ranveer had auditioned early on and showed strong commitment to the part.

At the time, many in Bollywood doubted Ranveer’s capacity to anchor a major film. Kashyap recalled industry insiders branding him a ‘treadmill’ because of his energetic persona.

Although Ranveer’s audition impressed Kashyap, mounting concerns about the film’s commercial prospects nudged him toward reconsidering the choice.

Industry Pressure and the Switch to Ranbir Kapoor

As pre-production costs climbed, Kashyap found himself navigating growing financial pressure. Seeking counsel from senior figures such as Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra, he was advised to cast a more established star to secure the project and justify the escalating budget.

He said the consensus was that the film needed a bigger name to reduce risk. Ultimately Kashyap agreed to replace Ranveer with Ranbir—an adjustment that took him more than a year to reconcile with personally.

Bombay Velvet’s Fallout and Ranveer’s Rise

Despite its scale and cast, Bombay Velvet failed to meet expectations and was met with critical and commercial disappointment. The setback triggered a period of reflection for Kashyap and coincided with a slowdown in his directorial output.

In parallel, Ranveer Singh’s career accelerated. Strong performances in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018) established him as a leading figure in contemporary Hindi cinema.

Attributes once perceived as excessive by some became central to Ranveer’s box-office appeal.

Ranveer most recently appeared in Singham Again and is preparing for the release of Dhurandhar later this year.

Kashyap’s candid reflections underscore how external expectations about star power and financial viability can shape creative decisions in Bollywood. While Bombay Velvet did not achieve its intended impact, the episode remains a defining moment in the careers of those involved—particularly Ranveer Singh, whose ascent since then has been remarkable.

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