This story is from January 03, 2026

Sandeep Reddy Vanga shares Ranveer Singh rejected 'Kabir Singh' as it was 'too DARK for him'

Sandeep Reddy Vanga shares Ranveer Singh rejected 'Kabir Singh' as it was 'too DARK for him'
Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga revealed Ranveer Singh was initially considered for the lead in his blockbuster 'Kabir Singh'. Vanga stated Ranveer turned down the role, finding the script too dark at the time. Despite skepticism about Shahid Kapoor's box office potential, Vanga remained confident in his casting choice for the critically acclaimed film.
Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' has been breaking records at the box office one after another since its release in theaters. The movie received praise from all quarters, including filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga. And recently, the director confirmed that the first choice for his blockbuster film 'Kabir Singh' was Ranveer. Here's what the director has to say.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga reveals Ranveer Singh was the first choice for 'Kabir Singh'

In an interview with iDream Media, Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared that Ranveer Singh was supposed to feature in the film 'Kabir Singh', which was a remake of 'Arjun Reddy'. During the interaction, the filmmaker shared that he was getting calls from Mumbai to do the remake of his Telugu hit. He revealed that the film was "pitched to Ranveer Singh," since the director wanted to collaborate with the Bollywood actor. However, Vanga shared that the actor turned it down.
Watch
Dhurandhar’s Box Office Rampage: Ranveer Singh Enters Elite History
Sandeep Reddy Vanga added, "But finally, he decided he will not do it, because it was too dark for him at that time." Elaborating further, the filmmaker added that remaking a popular film has its own risks and pressures.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga shares how people were skeptical about Shahid Kapoor

Sandeep Reddy then shared how people considered taking Shahid Kapoor on board for the film as a risk. He stated that the actor's solo movies had not crossed the Rs 100 crore mark at that time. He added, "They would say, 'If it was Ranveer, the box office would be higher.'
But I was always sure about Shahid. He’s a fantastic actor."

More about 'Kabir Singh'

Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the film featured Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani in the lead roles. The movie was released in cinemas on June 21, 2019. While the movie went on to score big at the box office, a section of people also slammed it for being "misogynistic."The film went on to earn over Rs 350 crore at the worldwide box office.
Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”

author
About the AuthorTOI Entertainment Desk

The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.

End of Article
Follow Us On Social Media