Why did Ram Gopal Varma regret casting Amitabh Bachchan in Nishabd?

Varma felt Amitabh Bachchan's established image was incompatible with the film's controversial storyline about an older man falling for a teenager.

What was the controversy surrounding the movie Nishabd?

The film 'Nishabd' sparked controversy for its theme of a 60-year-old man's romance with an 18-year-old girl, especially with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role.

Did Nishabd perform well at the box office?

No, despite critical praise for performances, Nishabd failed at the box office due to its controversial subject matter.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / RGV Admits Casting Bachchan in 'Nishabd' Was a Mistake

RGV Admits Casting Bachchan in 'Nishabd' Was a Mistake

26 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma called casting Amitabh Bachchan in 'Nishabd' a misjudgment.
Varma cited Bachchan's established image as incompatible with the film's theme.
Despite controversy, Varma praised Bachchan's performance in the 2007 film.

RGV Admits Casting Bachchan in 'Nishabd' Was a Mistake

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has acknowledged a significant misjudgment in casting Amitabh Bachchan for his 2007 film 'Nishabd'. Varma explained that the superstar's iconic image was fundamentally at odds with the film's narrative, which depicted a romance between a 60-year-old man and his daughter's teenage friend. This thematic clash, Varma believes, made the controversial subject matter difficult for audiences to embrace. The film, inspired by 'American Beauty,' ultimately failed at the box office despite critical praise for its performances.