MUMBAI: Bollywood as an industry might be on a more progressive path today but back in the day, actors would get rejected for rather weird reasons. Actors who have achieved great success today were once rejected based on their looks, colour, height, weight and even name, right at the beginning of their careers.
Below are some more stories of actors who were rejected by filmmakers, casting directors for reasons that are sure to leave you appalled...
Actress Taapsee Pannu was called out 'over stupid things' right after she stepped into the entertainment industry. She was told that she’s not a 'big marketable name'. In an old interview, Taapsee Pannu was quoted saying, “I was told, ‘You are not beautiful and glamorous enough’, ‘Oh no, you’re too serious an actor…’ ‘You’re not good enough an actor’, ‘You are not so and so’s daughter.".
From Padmaavat to Gully Boy, Ranveer Singh has achieved great milestones in his career and has proved his mettle as a versatile actor. He is also considered to be one of the hottest and most desirable celebrities on the block. However, there was a time when he was rejected for not being 'very good looking or conventional'. In an interview, Ranveer was quoted saying “Initially, I faced rejection based on how I looked and not so much because of my ability. I was told that I wasn’t very good looking or conventional. Maybe I wasn’t fair or tall enough.”.
Vidya Balan is known for delivering the finest performances in her movies. The 'National Film Award' winning actress has earned praises from audiences and critics alike for successful films like Kahaani, Parineeta, The Dirty Picture, to her recent Shakuntala Devi biopic. However, at the beginning of her career, Vidya was not just rejected for her looks but was also tagged as 'bad luck' and was 'jinxed' in the South Indian film industry.
Rajkummar Rao was rejected for not being 'fair and muscular'. Back in the day, when he went for an audition he was told, “Acting is fine, but I can’t give you a lead part because leading heroes are supposed to be fair and muscular. But do you want to play a small character in my film?”. Today, Rajkummar Rao is critically acclaimed and also a 'National Film Award' holder.
Manjot Singh has played a supporting role in many hit films including Student of the Year, Udaan, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!. In 2019, the actor had opened up about his struggle in finding work and how he was once rejected for being a 'sardar'. "Recently, I went to a casting agency because I wanted them to manage my work. So, they took my portfolio. After a few days, they reverted saying that ‘since you are a sardar, it is quite difficult for us to search a role for you’. I was shocked. If you check my 10-year-long career, 90% of them are hit films", he said in an interview.
Credit: Times Now
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