DYK Badmaash Company Director Nearly Rejected Anushka Sharma?

 DYK Badmaash Company Director Nearly Rejected Anushka Sharma?

Today, May 7, 2025, marks the 15th anniversary of the crime-comedy Badmaash Company, starring Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.  The Parmeet Sethi-directed and Yash Raj Films-produced movie was a box office hit and won accolades from both reviewers and audiences for its compelling plot and outstanding performances.  Few people are aware, though, that Anushka's "Indianized" look made filmmaker Parmeet Sethi first hesitate to cast her in the starring role.

 The Indian Express reported that director Parmeet Sethi talked candidly about the Badmaash Company's casting process and recalled how Aditya Chopra gave him complete control.  "Tujhe kaun chahiye?" Aditya asked me, he revealed.  Tu bas naam le, main usko lekar aaunga means "I'll bring on the actor you want, just name them."

"I believe that at the time, Ranbir was working on a movie called Rocket Singh that was similar to this.  He was therefore gone.  However, Shahid Kapoor was always my first choice.  Since he was working on his father's project at the time, I sincerely hoped he would say yes," Parmeet added.  "At first, Shahid turned down the offer because he was working on his father's movie, but after reading the script, he decided to do Badmaash Company instead."

 Parmeet was pleased with Shahid's choice, although he had serious doubts about Anushka.  "I was given Anushka's name by Aditya.  "She's very good," he replied.  She is someone you only meet once.  Her image was strongly Indianized in my thoughts because I had seen her in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.  I wanted someone who had an attitude, was gregarious, and had a really modern appearance.  However, all of my assumptions were dispelled when I met her.  She has a very special spontaneity about her and is filled with God.

 In addition to Shahid and Anushka, Vir Das, Meiyang Chang, Anupam Kher, and Kiran Juneja played important roles in the movie.

 The movie tells the story of four young, middle-class Mumbai friends who start an import company in the 1990s.  They first prosper by "beating the system" by using unconventional business methods, but when personal issues surface, their lives take a turn for the worse.  The movie shows how they went from having a promising business to facing both emotional and professional challenges.