In a revelation that adds a fascinating twist to Bollywood's casting lore, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has disclosed that his blockbuster 2019 film Kabir Singh was initially pitched to Ranveer Singh. The actor, however, turned down the now-iconic role, finding the character's intensity and the film's narrative "too dark" for his taste at that time. This decision paved the way for Shahid Kapoor to step in, a move that resulted in the biggest commercial success of his career.
The Missed Opportunity: Ranveer's 'Too Dark' Verdict
In an interview with iDream Media, Sandeep Reddy Vanga recounted the journey of bringing the Hindi remake of his Telugu hit Arjun Reddy to life. After the original's massive success, he was inundated with calls from Mumbai producers eager for a Bollywood version. Ranveer Singh was the first actor approached for the lead role. Vanga expressed his keen interest in collaborating with Ranveer, but the actor ultimately passed on the project.
"First, it was pitched to Ranveer Singh. I wanted to do it with him," Vanga stated. "But finally, he decided he will not do it, because it was too dark for him at that time." This rejection came during a period when Ranveer was on a remarkable box office streak, delivering hits like Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Simmba, and Gully Boy.
Shahid Kapoor's Triumph Against the Odds
Following Ranveer's refusal, the project landed with Shahid Kapoor. Vanga admitted that this choice was met with skepticism within the industry. At the time, Shahid did not have a strong track record of solo box office blockbusters, with his highest-grossing film standing at around Rs 65 crore.
"People weren't convinced," Vanga recalled. "They used to say Rs 55 crore, Rs 65 crore is the kind of business Telugu movies do. 'Why are you doing it with this guy? If it was Ranveer, the box office would be higher'. But I was always sure about Shahid, he's a fantastic actor." Vanga's confidence was vindicated spectacularly. Made on a budget of approximately Rs 36 crore, Kabir Singh stormed the box office, earning a staggering Rs 380 crore worldwide and becoming Shahid Kapoor's most successful film to date.
Dhurandhar's Success and the Ranveer-Ranbir Dynamic
This revelation comes at a pivotal moment in Ranveer Singh's career. His latest action spectacle, Dhurandhar, has become the highest-grossing release of 2025 so far, surpassing the collections of major films like Stree 2, Chhaava, Pathaan, and Pushpa 2. Its success has reignited his position as a leading superstar of his generation, often compared with his contemporary, Ranbir Kapoor.
The parallel is intriguing: Ranbir's last release, Animal, was also directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and posted massive numbers. The long-running Ranveer-Ranbir debate now includes this tantalizing 'what if' scenario. Had Ranveer accepted Kabir Singh, it could have further cemented his commercial dominance during his peak, adding another colossal hit to his filmography and potentially altering the star power equation.
While Ranveer Singh's choice to avoid a role he deemed too dark is a matter of personal artistic discretion, it remains one of the most significant sliding-door moments in recent Bollywood history. It offered Shahid Kapoor a career-defining role and left fans to forever wonder about the alternate version of Kabir Singh that never was.
