Losing out on a role can sting, but what truly hurts is often the why behind it. Knowing the reasons, especially when they touch upon personal aspects, can be tougher to process than just the rejection itself. Actor Anupria Goenka recently shared her experience with this very feeling. Read on to know more.
Anupria Goenka On Losing Sultan’s Main Role To Anushka Sharma
She recalled auditioning for the lead role in Salman Khan’s blockbuster film, Sultan. Initially, the filmmakers were looking for fresh faces, and Anupria Goenka went through an extensive audition process. It wasn’t just one or two tries; she faced around 11 or 12 tests. This included initial auditions, a music video test, a dance audition with choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant, and script readings with director Ali Abbas Zafar.
Anupria Goenka described this month-long process as “beautiful.” Interestingly, she didn’t even know she was auditioning for the Sultan’s main role until she met Ali Abbas Zafar, as Yash Raj Films (YRF) typically uses dummy scripts for initial auditions. It was only when the director kept mentioning “Mr Khan” that she realised the importance of the project.
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Despite her dedicated efforts, the role ultimately went to Anushka Sharma. Anupria admitted that not getting the part was “heartbreaking.” She reflected on potential reasons why, mentioning that she is dusky—a fact she embraces and is proud of. However, she also acknowledged that she might not fit the typical mould of a Yash Raj Films heroine, perhaps referencing conventional beauty standards. Sultan was released on July 6, 2016 and gained massive love and appreciation from the audience.
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