It is nearly impossible to imagine Sriram Raghavan’s 2018 masterpiece Andhadhun without Ayushmann Khurrana’s National Award-winning performance as the deceptively blind pianist, or Tabu’s chilling turn as the deceptive femme fatale. However, Bollywood history almost looked completely different.
During a recent appearance on comedian Tanmay Bhat’s YouTube channel, Varun Dhawan made a surprising revelation: the critically acclaimed dark comedy was originally conceptualized with him and Kangana Ranaut in the lead roles.
The Unfinished Badlapur Connection
The roots of Andhadhun trace back to the set of Raghavan’s 2015 neo-noir hit Badlapur, where Varun delivered one of his most widely praised dramatic performances.
-
The Early Pitch: Raghavan initially shared the concept of a blind pianist witnessing a crime scene cleanup with Varun while they were wrapping up Badlapur.
-
The Conflict: While Varun was highly impressed by the premise, the script was still unfinished. By the time Raghavan and his team finalized the screenplay, Varun’s schedule had become tightly packed with prior commercial obligations.
-
The Consequence: Unable to align dates, Varun had to pass on the project. Raghavan subsequently opened up casting, eventually looking toward Ayushmann Khurrana.
“I think I said no to a good film,” Varun confessed to Tanmay Bhat. “Andhadhun. I was filming for something else. So I couldn’t do it. And the original cast of the film was supposed to be me and Kangana.”
A Blockbuster Legacy and What Might Have Been
Passing on the film remains one of the ultimate “what if” scenarios of Varun’s career. Andhadhun didn’t just succeed; it altered the landscape of modern Indian thrillers.
| Metric | The Global Success of Andhadhun |
| Initial Production Budget | ₹32 Crore |
| Worldwide Box Office | Estimated ₹456 Crore |
| National Film Awards | 3 Awards (including Best Hindi Film and Best Actor) |
| Key Final Cast | Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan |
While the film’s complex screenplay and dark humor secured its spot in cinema history, fans on social media have voiced mixed reactions to the revelation. Many celebrate the fact that the role eventually paved the way for Ayushmann’s breakthrough performance, while others remain highly intrigued by the chaotic onscreen energy a Varun-Kangana combination would have brought to Raghavan’s twisted world.
Current Slate
The missed opportunity hasn’t deterred Varun from balancing massive commercial vehicles with experimental cinema. The actor was recently seen in the romantic comedy Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, and is next slated to return to Maddock Films’ horror-comedy universe with Bhediya 2, scheduled for release in August 2026.
