Revealed - Rajkumar Santoshi wanted Ranbir for Phata Poster Nikla Hero

6 Sep 2013

Let the fact be told now. In a strange twist of turns, there has been a role swapping of sorts between the two young Kapoors - Ranbir and Shahid. The story started over half a decade back when Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani was conceptualized. "That was the time when Raj Kumar Santoshi was planning to make the film with Shahid Kapoor. He had actually put it all together keeping the youngster in mind. However, since he was busy with Kismat Konnection, there were no dates available with him. This is when Santoshi decided to reach out to another 'promising newcomer' who was looking at making his presence felt. The boy was Ranbir Kapoor who pronto came on board and rest, as they say, is history," informs a source.

The film turned out to be a superhit at the box office and while Shahid's Kismat Konnection was a moderate hit, Ranbir scored his first major biggie and that too with Katrina Kaif in tow.

"It was now a given that Santoshi would make his next too with Ranbir. When the subject of Phata Poster Nikhla Hero was being explored, Santoshi designed the entire film keeping Ranbir in mind," the source continues, "This time around the 'once promising youngster' had turned out to be a star in his own right and was overtly selective about his films. Since he was busy with Barfi! and Besharam , he didn't wish to juggle too many projects and politely told Santoshi about that." This time around, it was Shahid to be Santoshi's next choice as a leading man. He was more than happy to come on board as well, considering the fact that he was looking for something much lighter after Mausam and Teri Meri Kahaani. For the filmmaker too, it was going back to the actor with whom he wanted to build a partnership many years back.

"That's true," said Santoshi when contacted, "Shahid had always impressed me since the days of Ishq Vishk . In fact I had loved him in Vivah and also found him impressive in Jab We Met . Despite Kareena Kapoor enjoying an author backed role, Shahid impressed with his restrained act. Now he is enjoying the author backed part in Phata Poster Nikhla Hero ." Considering the fact that the part was originally 'authored' for Ranbir Kapoor, one looks forward to the kind of changes that may have been eventually made with Shahid coming on board.