Janhvi Kapoor Replaces Shraddha Kapoor In Mother, Sridevi's 'Chaalbaaz' Remake, Fans Disappointed

The remake of Sridevi's 1989 cult classic Chaalbaaz has stirred controversy after Janhvi Kapoor replaced Shraddha Kapoor in the lead role. Initially, the film was announced in 2021 as Chaalbaaz in London; the project was to star Shraddha, but delays led to a casting change. Reports now suggest Janhvi has "jumped onto the chance" to headline the film.

Fans are not happy about the casting change from Shraddha Kapoor to Jahnvi Kapoor in Chaalbaaz in London

Reddit users didn't hold back their disappointment. Many questioned why Janhvi continues to be cast in major roles despite a string of underwhelming performances and box office failures. One user bluntly asked, "How many movies do we have to suffer until Janhvi quits acting?" while another urged, "Take Sanya Malhotra instead, she fits the role."

A third user wrote, "Omg, this is the height of nepo privilege. A cosmetically enhanced actress who despite of flops and non-talent is not only surviving but thriving in the industry just on the basis of being Sridevi's daughter," while another one said, "Kaisi mil rahi hai isko movies yaar. I can make a compilation of random scenes from all her movies and release it as a new movie..aur kisi ko shak bhi nahi hoga."

Sanya Malhotra emerges as a fan favourite replacement choice for Chaalbaaz in London

Many fans are still upset about Shraddha leaving the project and wish she would make a return to the project. Amid the backlash, several fans proposed Sanya Malhotra as a better fit. Known for her acting versatility and natural comic timing, Sanya has gained strong support from netizens who believe she could do justice to a role once immortalised by Sridevi. 'Sanya will fit the bill perfectly,' wrote one user, with many echoing the sentiment across threads.

This is not the first time the two actresses, Jahnvi and Sanya, have been pitted against each other. The two will be seen sharing screen in their upcoming film, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. When the teaser for their upcoming film was released, a similar sentiment was noted within the audience. It seemed as if a major section of netizens wanted to see Sanya in the main role as a protagonist rather than Jahnvi.

Director, Pankay Parashar revealed why Shraddha Kapoor was dropped from Chaalbaaz in London

Director, Pankaj Parashar revealed that Shraddha Kapoor was initially very excited about the film. However, he felt the script wasn't coming together the way he had envisioned it. This was leading into delays with the production. He further clarified that Shraddha wasn't dropped due to disinterest. Her scheduling conflicts reportedly made it difficult to continue the project with her.

The challenge of remaking a cult classic, Chaalbaaz

Remaking Chaalbaaz, a film cherished for Sridevi's unmatched dual performance, is no small feat. Fans worry the remake might fall flat without the right casting and execution. Some Redditors even questioned whether the remake should happen at all, stating, 'It needs to be as fun as Neeraj Vora's comedies to work today."

What's next for Janhvi Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor?

Janhvi Kapoor was recently seen in Param Sundari and will appear next in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari alongside Varun Dhawan. Meanwhile, Shraddha Kapoor is coming off the success of Stree 2 and will return in Stree 3 in 2027. Fans continue to hope she'll be considered for future remakes or similar roles.

The decision to cast Janhvi Kapoor in a role so closely tied to her mother's legacy may seem poetic, but it's also a risky move. With strong fan resistance and high expectations, Chaalbaaz in London will need more than nostalgia to win audiences over; it will need performance, precision, and perhaps, a little bit of Sridevi's magic.

What are your thoughts about Janhvi Kapoor replacing Shraddha Kapoor in Chaalbaaz in London?

Also Read: Kriti Sanon Calls Out The Gender Bias In Bollywood, Says, 'Making Me Smaller Because...'

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