Border 2 Director Anurag Singh Reveals Casting Philosophy Behind Jackie Shroff and Tabu's Absence
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, filmmaker Anurag Singh has opened up about the casting decisions for the highly anticipated sequel Border 2, specifically addressing why veteran actors Jackie Shroff and Tabu are not part of the project despite their significant roles in the original 1997 war drama.
Script Dictates Casting, Not the Other Way Around
Anurag Singh emphasized that the casting process for any film, including Border 2, is fundamentally driven by the requirements of the script rather than pre-determined actor choices. The director stated clearly that one does not develop a screenplay with specific actors in mind from the outset.
"The casting takes place through the story. What your story is like and the characters it includes, the casting depends on that," Singh explained. "You do not work on a story thinking that you have to cast a particular person. You come up with a story that you like, and then you think about who might fit the part."
He elaborated further, noting that sometimes during the writing process, a character might naturally align with a particular actor's persona. "It might also happen that as you are writing a particular character, you feel that a specific actor will be able to play the part well," he added.
Sunny Deol's Inevitable Presence in the Border Franchise
When discussing the inclusion of Sunny Deol in Border 2, Anurag Singh acknowledged the actor's intrinsic connection to the franchise. He pointed out that the Border series fundamentally belongs to Sunny Deol and original director J.P. Dutta.
"Before any of us, 'Border' belongs to Sunny (Deol) Sir and J P Sir. So if you are making Border, then you need Sunny Sir for sure because people identify this name with Sunny sir," Singh stated.
However, he clarified that even this decision was organic to the creative process. "And it is a matter of luck that while writing the script, you feel that this character is being formed according to Sunny sir, but you cannot force your creativity or writing to cast a particular actor. While there are some films where such things can be done, it cannot happen in a film like this," the director added.
Final Casting Decisions Based on Script Requirements
Anurag Singh concluded by stating that the final ensemble for Border 2 was selected because it represented the best possible casting according to the script's demands. The film features a fresh lineup including Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, Diljit Dosanjh, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Medha Rana, and Anya Singh in pivotal roles.
Border 2 premiered in cinemas across India on January 23, marking a new chapter in the iconic franchise while adhering to a principle-driven approach to casting that prioritizes narrative integrity over star power.
