Sardar Udham Singh: First Choice Irrfan Khan Had Told Makers, 'Move Forward Without Me' Referring To His 'Physical Condition'
Shoojit Sircar revealed why he originally roped in the late actor Irrfan Khan for Sardar Udham Singh before settling for Vicky Kaushal
Just recently, the filmmaker of Sardar Udham Singh Shoojit Sircar revealed that he actually wanted the late actor Irrfan Khan playing the titular role. He originally roped in Irrfan for the film but due to his health issue that deteriorated overtime after he was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018. In fact, Shoojit was even ready to wait for him, but the actor’s condition didn’t allow him to take on the project and moved forward with the project with Vicky Kaushal playing the lead role.
The director also mentioned that he thought of and wrote the character keeping Irrfan in mind. Talking to Mid-day about the same, he was quoted saying, "Irfan has the grace and depth that Udham Singh needs to play. Along with this, Irfan is well versed in the history of Punjab." When Sircar was ready to wait for him, Khan told him not to do so. The producer of the film, Ronnie Lahiri, told PTI in an interview in April, “We had decided amongst ourselves that he would not be in the physical condition to play such a complex role, and he told us to move forward. He told us that it should not happen that someone else makes a film on this subject. So it will not be right that we keep waiting for them, and someone else does it. "
Sircar even mentioned that it is an ode to the late veteran star. Well, we are sure that Vicky will do complete justice to this character but it would have been an interesting watch to see Irrfan in it.
Nevertheless, Irrfan Khan left us for his heavenly abode on April 29 after succumbing to cancer. The actor has worked with the director in Piku and since then he has become very close to him. After hearing upon his demise news, he didn't believe it and recalled the time when he was admitted to the hospital. ALSO READ: Vicky Kaushal Starrer Sardar Udham Singh's Post Production Work To Resume On Monday; Actor Announces 'We Begin Again'
He said, "I think about Irrfan every day. His image floats in front of my eyes. We had grown close in the past two years when he underwent treatment. During his last 10 days, I was following up with Sutapa [Irrfan’s wife] and Babil [son]. Babil broke the news to me that morning. I still feel Irrfan is with me, talking to me. I can never get over his loss." ALSO READ: Sardar Udham Singh: Vicky Kaushal Finds His Leading Lady In Banita Sandhu; Actress Confirms
Image source: Instagram/ shoojitsircar/ irrfan
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