11th June 2023,Mumbai: Director Hansal Mehta recently shared his experience of the initial resistance faced while casting Rajkummar Rao as the lead actor in the film “Shahid” released in 2012. Mehta, known for his latest web series “Scam,” revealed in an interview that the producers of the movie were hesitant about selecting Rajkummar for the pivotal role. However, Mehta’s conviction in the actor’s abilities convinced them to go ahead with the casting.
“Shahid” was inspired by the life of Shahid Azmi, a lawyer and human rights advocate who was tragically killed in 2010. The film received critical acclaim, with Rajkummar Rao and Hansal Mehta winning National Awards for Best Actor and Best Director, respectively.
Recalling the challenges faced during the casting process, Mehta stated, “Many stars were handed the script for ‘Shahid,’ but either they did not want to collaborate with me or wanted significant alterations to the script. I made a firm stand. ‘Either this is what It is, or it is nothing.’”
During this period, Anurag Kashyap and Mukesh Chabbra recommended Rajkummar Rao to Mehta. Initially hesitant, Mehta had no intentions of meeting the young actor. However, after their persistent urging, he eventually met Rajkummar and was struck by the actor’s passion, sincerity, and hunger to prove himself. Mehta sensed a connection and recognized Rajkummar’s potential to portray the dream role of Shahid.
Prior to their meeting, Mehta had even created a poster of “Shahid” featuring Rajkummar Rao. The director, impressed by the actor’s performance in the film “Ragini MMS,” solidified his belief in Rajkummar’s acting abilities.
The collaboration between Mehta and Rajkummar Rao extended beyond “Shahid,” as they went on to work together on several successful projects, including “City Lights,” “Aligarh,” and “Omerta.” Rajkummar Rao’s recent accolades include the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Badhaai Do,” directed by Anubhav Sinha.
-by Kashvi Gala