Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker are set to reunite 25 years after Lagaan, this time for the upcoming period feature Lalkaara. However, the film has undergone a casting change, with actor Sidhant Gupta reportedly stepping away from the project. The actor was set to play a pivotal role in the film.
Sidhant Gupta backs out of Lalkaara
According to a report in The Hollywood Reporter, actor Sidhant Gupta, who was set to join superstar Aamir Khan in filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker’s upcoming period feature Lalkaara, has decided to step away from the project due to scheduling conflicts. According to a source, as stated by the portal, “After discussions with the team, the actor took the decision to step away from the project rather than disrupt commitments already underway.”
Before Sidhant Gupta, reports were rife that Farhan Akhtar had opted out of Lalkaara. Farhan Akhtar was supposed to play a pivotal role in Lalkaara. But he reportedly exited the film due to the shooting schedule clashing with Neeraj Pandey’s upcoming film based on the life of RD Burman. Speaking to Variety India, he addressed the narrative around his alleged departure, saying, “How do I exit a project when I had never even entered it officially?” He stressed that discussions and media reports about potential casting should not be mistaken for confirmed announcements.
More about Lalkaara
Lalkaara will reportedly feature Khan portraying legendary Indian cricketer Lala Amarnath. The narrative is reportedly centered on the iconic 1952 Test series between India and Pakistan, the first-ever bilateral series between the two nations. Ashutosh Gowariker has reportedly met around 50 club and city-level cricketers in Mumbai for look tests.
A source told mid-day, “‘Lalkaara’ will feature a mix of cricketers alongside its principal cast. Ashutosh met about 50 cricketers, who play in Mumbai’s clubs and various cricket leagues, for a test shoot, including those who regularly practise there. Actors posing as cricketers is not the approach he wants to take.”
Sidhant Gupta’s upcoming movies
He will next be seen headlining the Roy Kapur Films production Teen Kauwe, alongside Pavail Gulati and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The show will stream on Amazon Prime Video. He is all set to make his South Indian cinema debut in the Prashanth Neel action film Dragon, starring Jr. NTR.
