Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga revealed that a production company in Mumbai rejected an actor simply because of his association with Vanga’s film Kabir Singh, starring Shahid Kapoor.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Kabir Singh, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani, released in 2019.
Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga recently called out a ‘big’ production company in Mumbai. While he did not name anyone, he shared that an actor, who was a part of Kabir Singh, went to audition at the production house. Vanga claimed that the actor was rejected simply because of his association with Vanga’s film. The filmmaker expressed his frustration, and called out the unfair industry politics. He then challenged the production house to say the same thing and turn down Ranbir Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Rashmika Mandanna or other well-established stars that he has worked with.
The trailer of an upcoming interview hosted by Komal Nahta for Game Changers shows Sandeep Reddy Vanga saying, “There’s one big production company in Bombay, I don’t want to take the name. It’s not like I am scared but I don’t want to take the name. Ek actor, Kabir Singh mein jo act kiya, wo gaya audition dene office mein. Popular actor from Kabir Singh. Audition dene ke baad bole ki ‘you’ve acted in Kabir Singh, right? We are not casting you. Because you acted in Kabir Singh.’ (An actor, who has acted in Kabir Singh, went to give an audition at their office. A popular actor from Kabir Singh. After the audition, the actor was told, ‘You’ve acted in Kabir Singh, right? We are not casting you’).” The actor called up Vanga and shared that he was turned down because of this.
“Tu wapas wo log ko bolna chahiye tha ki now Sandeep is working with Ranbir Kapoor. Say the same thing to Ranbir Kapoor. Don’t take Triptii Dimri. Don’t take Rashmika. Don’t work with Vishal Mishra who made that song for me. Hai gooda toh idhar baat karo na (You should’ve gone back to them and told them that now Sandeep is working with Ranbir Kapoor. Say the same thing to Ranbir Kapoor. Don’t take Triptii Dimri. Don’t take Rashmika. Don’t work with Vishal Mishra, who made that song for me. If you have the guts, talk to me here),” said Vanga.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga further added that he felt extremely bad, and that he found it very irritating. “I don’t have words to express. I felt very bad. That guy came from some other part of the country, did a small role, got a bit of recognition. He wants to grow, so he gives auditions with full dedication. They told him, ‘You worked in that film, our company won’t take you.’ I said, ‘Okay, uska company koi Avatar nahi bana raha hai (It’s not like his company is making films like Avatar).'”
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Kabir Singh, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani, released in 2019. The film, which was a remake of the director’s own Telugu film Arjun Reddy, sparked controversy upon its release, with debates around its portrayal of toxic masculinity.
