MUMBAI: Tanu Weds Manu's producer, Shailesh R. Singh, recently revealed some shocking news in an interview. According to him, nobody was keen on playing the movie's lead female character. He said they had originally intended to cast Konkona Sen Sharma in the lead role, but Kangana Ranaut was eventually recommended. Shailesh stated that he had been friends with the film's director, Aanand L Rai, since their days working in television.

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He said, “Anand’s ‘Strangers’ failed to leave its mark on the box office. While I was producing Dil Kabaddi, the DOP of the film Anay Goswami told me to meet Anand and listen to the story of Tanu Weds Manu. I was initially not interested in producing the film as I was busy with Dil Kabaddi and another film was lined up that was set to star several top celebrities. Due to date issues and several other reasons, I told Anand that I was not interested in doing this kind of film but he kept on insisting that I hold a meeting with him.”

Shailesh further stated that despite being uninterested he met with Anand. He said “Though I was not interested in doing this film I met with Anand. He narrated the story to me. Though I liked the story I told him that I was not going to produce it. I told him that I was ready to help him with everything that he needed. I tried to get producers onboard but everyone told me that they had already heard the story and weren’t interested in producing it.”

Shailesh R Singh mentioned that when he met Anand after 2-3 months he had already signed R Madhavan as the lead actor of the role. He said, “Anand had Konkona in mind alongside Madhavan, but I told him that though she is a fantastic actress, she wouldn’t fit the character.”

Shailesh stated that they approached many actresses before approaching Kangana, but they were all turned down because they didn't want to work with Madhavan. A few actresses added that they would only be willing to collaborate if the lead actor was replaced.

He said, “When we approached Kangana she was busy shooting the film Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai. She heard the story and was instantly ready to take up the role. She was not even interested to know the name of the hero. Earlier she told me that she wanted to work with me and so when we approached her she directly said yes.”

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Credit-News 18