Abhishek Chaubey’s Ishqiya was a game-changer in Bollywood, especially for Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, and Arshad Warsi. The 2010 film, produced by Vishal Bhardwaj, was praised for its raw storytelling and Vidya’s powerhouse performance. However, few know that the original cast was meant to be completely different. Actors like Pankaj Tripathi, Irrfan Khan, Preity Zinta, and Lara Dutta were initially considered before the final lineup was decided.
Why Did Preity Zinta Drop Out of Ishqiya?
Vidya Balan’s role was first offered to Preity Zinta, who had shown interest in an earlier draft of the script. However, according to reports, she later backed out due to concerns about Irrfan Khan’s commercial appeal. At the time, Irrfan was known for his strong performances in critically acclaimed films but wasn’t necessarily considered a box office draw. Allegedly, Preity wanted a more commercially bankable male lead, which led to her departure from the project.
Vishal Bhardwaj, who co-wrote and produced the film, was reportedly upset about her decision. He was firm in his choice of Irrfan for a leading role and did not entertain the idea of replacing him to accommodate Preity’s concerns. Eventually, both Irrfan and Preity exited the project, making way for the final cast that audiences saw on screen.
Irrfan Khan’s Exit and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Reaction
Irrfan was initially meant to play Babban, a role that eventually went to Arshad Warsi. He was deeply connected with Vishal Bhardwaj, and the two had collaborated on multiple projects. However, when he read the revised script, he reportedly felt that his character had been weakened in the final version. This realization led him to step away from the project.
Vishal Bhardwaj, who had envisioned Ishqiya with Irrfan from the start, was disappointed by this turn of events. Their professional disagreement led to a fallout, and Vishal was so hurt by Irrfan’s exit that he did not speak to him for nearly three years. Despite these behind-the-scenes changes, Ishqiya became a massive success, with Vidya Balan receiving immense praise for her role. The film’s gritty narrative, combined with strong performances from Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi, made it a cult favourite.
However, the story of its original casting remains an intriguing what if in Bollywood history.