7 months ago

Agastya Nanda Cast in Ikkis After Varun Dhawan

Agastya Nanda Cast in Ikkis After Varun Dhawan
Not Agastya Nanda, This Bollywood Star Was First Choice For Ikkis · news18.com

The movie Ikkis is about a brave soldier named Arun Khetrapal.

At first, Varun Dhawan was chosen to play Arun, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for a younger actor, Agastya Nanda was cast instead.

The director, Sriram Raghavan, felt that Agastya Nanda was the right choice because he was the right age and could commit to the project for a few years.

Varun Dhawan was initially hesitant about playing a younger character but eventually supported the decision.

This change allowed Agastya Nanda to make his big-screen debut in Ikkis.

Key facts

Film
Ikkis
Director
Sriram Raghavan
Original Lead Choice
Varun Dhawan
Final Lead
Agastya Nanda
Film Subject
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal
Param Vir Chakra Recipient
Arun Khetrapal
Reason for Change
COVID-19 pandemic and age requirements

Quotes

Sriram Raghavan

Director of the film Ikkis

“As I developed the script, I gradually realised that age is integral to the story. In certain scenes, Arun is shown as 19. The age when Jeetendra could dance around trees in his 40s is over. The script demanded a fresh face, and Agastya Nanda was 21 when he was cast.”
news18.com

Varun Dhawan

Actor initially chosen to portray Arun Khetrapal in Ikkis

“Now that things have calmed down, I keep urging Sriram. I’ve begged him that he should make it with someone else. I might play some other part in it if I have to. My thing is, ‘how do I play a 21-year-old now?’ I’m conscious about that. I don’t feel convinced. Sriram and I share an honest relationship with each other. But I’ll still try to convince Sriram to make it because it’s a story that needs to be told.”
news18.com

Sources

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