'Ishqiya' Writer, Vishal Bhardwaj Reveals Preity Zinta Rejected Movie, Due To Irrfan Khan

Abhishek Chaubey's debut directorial was Ishqiya, written and produced by Vishal Bharadwaj. The movie changed the lives of Bollywood stars, Vidya Balan, Arshad Warsi, and Naseeruddin Shah. Vidya's talent had taken the central light, and Naseeruddin got a unique romantic character. However, do you know they were not the first choices for the movie? Pankaj Tripathi, Irrfan Khan, Preity Zinta, and Lara Dutta were the first picks before the final cast was finalised.

Why did Preity Zinta desert Ishqiya?

According to a Koimoi report, Vidya Balan's role was initially offered to Preity Zinta. However, she wanted another lead actor as she had doubts about the late actor Irrfan Khan's 'commercial calibre'. In a recent interview with News 18, Abhishek shared that he learnt that Preity had exited the movie after the script of Ishqiya was finalised.

Abhishek Chaubey opens up on discussing Ishqiya script with Irrfan Khan

Vishal had written Ishqiya and reportedly had a deep connection with Irrfan. They were very supportive of each other's professional lives and reportedly were also inseparable. Vishal had written Irrfan's character from a lead role perspective. However, Abhishek going ahead in the interview, revealed of meeting the actor at a hotel in New York and had also discussed the script. In his words:

"Irrfan heard the new version of the film and he sensed that this version isn’t in favour of his character. This was the first time I sensed that Irrfan won’t do my film. While wonderful things happened on the script, terrible things happened behind the scenes."

Abhishek wanted Irrfan to essay the role of 'Babban' which Arshad Warsi then played. Irrfan felt that his character was not strong in the final leg of the script. Chaubey revealed that when he was writing Ishqiya, the film had a completely different casting. Pankaj ji would play 'Khalujan' (Shah’s role in the film), and Irrfan would essay 'Babban'. At various points, Lara Dutta was approached but Preity Zinta had read the earlier draft and had liked it a lot and she was on board.

Irrfan Khan had hurt his long-time friend, Vishal Bharadwaj

Reportedly, Irrfan's behaviour hurt Vishal so much that he did not speak to the actor for three years. It is said that the late actor did not do the movie due to a miscommunication. Vishal had co-written Ishqiya with Abhishek Chaubey, Gulzar, and many more. Vishal had already let go of Preity, allegedly because she did not want to work with Irrfan. He had selected Irrfan and allowed Preity to exit the movie. Vishal, in an interview with Lallantop, indirectly spoke about Preity and said:

"We had said no to a big actress for Ishqiya because she had refused to work with Irrfan as he wasn’t a commercial actor. I got very angry with him and didn’t speak to him for 2-3 years. I didn’t pick up his calls."

In an earlier interview with Lallantop, Vishal had earlier shared that he had never thought of making a film without Irrfan when Ishqiya was filmed. When he reached out to him for the film, he said he had signed another film for those dates. 

What do you think of Preity Zinta exiting Ishqiya due to Irrfan Khan?

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