Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga said that it was his “fault” that he first cast Parineeti Chopra opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Animal, but later let her go and cast actor Rashmika Mandanna as her replacement. In an interview, Vanga said that Parineeti felt bad about being replaced, but at the end of the day, she wasn’t right for the role of Geetanjali, and the film always takes priority over everything else.
In an interview with Komal Nahta, when asked about Parineeti, the filmmaker said, “Galti mera he hai (It is my fault). I told her ho sake toh maaf karo mujhe (if possible, please forgive me).” In the film, Rashmika played Geetanjali, Ranbir’s wife.
Vanga said he had always been a fan of Parineeti, whom he also wanted to cast in his debut Hindi film, Kabir Singh, which was went on to star Kiara Advani and Shahid Kapoor. In fact, even Shahid wasn’t the first choice; Vanga initially wanted to cast Ranveer Singh in the lead, but the actor dropped out because the subject matter was too dark for him.
The filmmaker said he had signed Parineeti one and a half years before the shoot of Animal began, without auditioning her. “Some characters don’t feel set in some people. I don’t believe in auditions, I go with instincts only. From day one I like her acting, I always wanted to cast her as Preeti also in Kabir Singh but even that could not happen. It’s long due, I always want to work with her, I told her and she knew that.”
Vanga revealed he also apologised to the actor for not continuing with her. “I said sorry, nothing is bigger than the film. So I am going ahead with someone else. She felt bad, but she understood why I am saying that.”
Earlier, when it was announced that Rashmika had stepped in to do the film, Parineeti had told India Today, “These things happen, it is a part and parcel of life. We must make such choices every day. You make the choice that is right for you.”
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Also starring Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor, Animal has emerged as one of the biggest Indian hits of all time. In 23 days, the action drama has earned Rs 534 cr all-India nett, and is just Rs 10 cr shy of beating the record of Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, which stands at Rs 543 cr. The film also came under fire for its misogyny and violence, which didn’t deter the audience from watching it.
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‘Parineeti Chopra was upset, I asked her for forgiveness’: Sandeep Reddy Vanga reveals her reaction to being fired from Animal – The Indian Express
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