Bollywood actor Siddhant Chaturvedi has publicly denied his involvement in the speculated Hindi remake of the Telugu blockbuster Dear Comrade. He also declared a firm stance against starring in any more remake projects for the foreseeable future. Co-star Pratibha Ranta, who was rumoured to be the female lead, has also requested media and fans to wait for official announcements.
The Rumour Mill Churns: A Dharma-Backed Remake
For several days, entertainment circles were abuzz with reports that Siddhant Chaturvedi, who recently appeared in the Hindi remake of Pariyerum Perumal, was set to headline another South Indian remake. This time, it was said to be the hit film Dear Comrade, originally starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna.
Further speculation suggested that the project would be backed by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, which reportedly holds the rights to the original film. The rumours also named rising star Pratibha Ranta, acclaimed for her role in Laapataa Ladies, as the potential female lead opposite Chaturvedi.
Actors Step In to Set the Record Straight
On Friday, both actors took to their official Instagram accounts to post stories clarifying their positions and dispelling the rumours.
Siddhant Chaturvedi shared a screenshot of a news article claiming his casting. He wrote, "Just to clarify guys, this isn't true." He elaborated on his current career choice, stating, "No remakes for me anymore, even though I'm a fan of the original film and the actors, much love and respect. Thank you."
In a gracious note, he expressed his desire to work with Pratibha Ranta on an original concept, saying, "Anyhow I'd love to collaborate with the supremely talented @pratibha_ranta on something original. Looking forward."
Pratibha Ranta issued a formal statement on her Instagram story, addressing the recurring issue of unverified project rumours. She requested, "With due respect, I kindly request all media pages to please refrain from posting or circulating any unverified information and wait for an official announcement."
She highlighted that this has been a persistent problem, leading to unnecessary confusion among her fans and the public regarding projects she is not associated with.
Current Projects and Box Office Success
While Pratibha Ranta did not have a film release in 2025, Siddhant Chaturvedi was recently seen in Dhadak 2. The film, directed by Shazia Iqbal and co-starring Triptii Dimri, was both a critical and commercial success. It garnered strong reviews and collected an impressive Rs 22.45 crore at the box office, cementing Chaturvedi's position in the industry.
The clear denials from both actors have put an end to the speculation surrounding the Dear Comrade remake, at least concerning their involvement. It shifts the focus back to their individual choices for original content and underscores the importance of waiting for official studio confirmations before believing in casting rumours.
