Varun Dhawan Confirms Turning Down Andhadhun: “Original Cast Was Me and Kangana Ranaut”
Sriram Raghavan’s 2018 masterpiece Andhadhun remains one of the most celebrated thrillers in modern Hindi cinema. While the film eventually won massive critical and commercial success with Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, and Radhika Apte, actor Varun Dhawan has officially revealed that the project originally featured a completely different lead pair.
During a recent appearance on comedian and content creator Tanmay Bhat’s YouTube channel, Varun opened up about the biggest career opportunity he passed on. When asked if he ever rejected a major film only to regret its later success, Varun admitted that he had turned down a very good movie. He then named the project as Andhadhun, explaining that his busy shooting schedule for another film at the time prevented him from taking it up. He further surprised fans by revealing that the film’s original envisioned cast was himself and Kangana Ranaut.
This revelation confirms years of industry rumors. Director Sriram Raghavan had initially discussed the concept of Andhadhun with Varun while they were working together on the acclaimed 2015 thriller Badlapur. Although Varun was deeply impressed by the idea, the duo decided to prioritize Badlapur first. As Varun’s schedule became increasingly packed with prior commitments, Raghavan began searching for a new lead actor, ultimately casting Ayushmann Khurrana in the career-defining role.
While Andhadhun went on to win multiple awards and solidify its place as a benchmark thriller, Varun Dhawan is currently focusing on his latest theatrical release, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. Directed by his father David Dhawan, the romantic comedy also stars Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur. The film hit theaters on June 5, 2026, and is currently navigating a modest opening weekend at the box office despite strong pre-release buzz.
