Vicky Kaushal's Masaan role: A casting near-disaster

The casting of Vicky Kaushal for the film Masaan underwent a surprising last-minute change. A prominent actor, initially slated to star, withdrew from the project just one week before principal photography was scheduled to commence.

This unexpected development forced the casting team, including Anurag Kashyap and Mukesh Chhabra, into a hurried search for a suitable replacement. They ultimately decided to audition Kaushal, who had previously appeared in minor roles in their films. His audition was successful, leading to his casting within a tight five-day window, after which he immediately joined the shooting.

Upon the trailer's release, many within the film industry expressed reservations about Kaushal's suitability, citing his appearance as not conventionally 'heroic' and lacking physical attributes like six-pack abs. However, the film's eventual release proved his detractors wrong, with the same individuals later eager to cast him in their own projects.

Adding to the narrative, actress Karisma Kapoor recalled seeing a young Vicky and his brother Sunny on sets with their father, action director Sham Kaushal. She noted even then that the boys possessed a distinct personality and observed their keen interest in the filmmaking process.