Actor Rajniesh Duggal recently opened up about a missed opportunity early in his career, revealing that he was almost cast opposite Priyanka Chopra in the film 'Yakeen' but was later removed from the project. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, he shared that he was told Priyanka did not wish to work with a newcomer at that time.
The Incident
When asked if he had ever faced reluctance from established actors to work with newcomers, Rajniesh recalled the specific instance. 'There was one instance in the beginning of my career, which was for a film called 'Yakeen' and at that time I was signed to do the film with Priyanka Chopra. I was brand new in the industry at the time. I was doing an acting course. She was already a big name in the sense that she was doing a film with Salman Sir (Salman Khan), with Akshay Kumar. With all due respect, I don't even know whether it was her call, or her manager's call, or the overall people involved in the project, but I was called at 2 o'clock in the night, and I was told that there is a problem in the film and the problem is that she (Priyanka Chopra) doesn't want to work with a newcomer.'
He added, 'So, that was one instance. Besides that, it's never happened. This was way back. I think, probably, I had never even faced the camera till then.'
Turning Point
This experience left a lasting impression on Rajniesh, influencing his own approach to working with newcomers. 'However, after that, I made a decision that I will never refuse to work with a newcomer, and I have stuck to it. I am very open to working with newcomers,' he concluded.
Rajniesh Duggal, known for his work in Bollywood and regional cinema, has since collaborated with many fresh talents, staying true to his commitment. The 'Yakeen' project, which eventually did not materialize with him, remains a notable early career setback that shaped his professional ethos.
