Niki Walia has revealed she was originally cast in Zoya Akhtar‘s 2015 film ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’, in the role that eventually went to Shefali Shah. The actress opened up about how close she came to playing Neelam, the wife of Anil Kapoor’s character, before the project was suddenly taken away from her. Let’s take a look at what she has to say.
Niki Walia says Shefali Shah replaced her in ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’
In a conversation with Buzzzooka Prime, Niki Walia shared that she had already progressed quite far into the casting process. According to her, Zoya Akhtar had even flown her in specially from the UK for the role.She said, “Woh yaha tak aakar, wapas le liya gaya mujhse. Unke apne reasons honge. But meri cruise ki dates sab fixed thi. Sab kuch ho gaya tha. Zoya Akhtar ne mujhe UK se khaas fly karke bulaya tha.”
Niki Walia recalls Zoya Akhtar’s call
In the same conversation, Niki Walia went on to describe just how far the process had gone before things changed. She said, “We did the scene readings, everything. They were okay with it. They even took my passport. The dates were booked too. And I was returning home after meeting them in India to prepare my family for the fact that I would be on a cruise for two to three months.”She further shared, “So, the day before I was leaving, Zoya called me and said, ‘Niki, I am really sorry, but because of an internal decision, we are not going ahead with you.’ I always have this thought that I wish I had got that role. But it’s okay. What doesn’t happen, doesn’t happen. What is meant to be is what is meant to be.”While Niki admitted she was disappointed, especially since everything had seemed finalised by then, she was quick to clarify that she never held the decision against Zoya Akhtar or the team.
Why was the role eventually given to Shefali Shah?
Reflecting on the casting switch, Niki Walia said that she believes it ultimately came down to a creative call. She feels the makers may have felt her screen presence was too strong for the character they envisioned.She said, “I felt I was completely suited to the character, but I think they made that decision creatively because they may have felt that, between my personality and Shefali’s, I perhaps came across as stronger. They may have felt that the wife needed to appear like someone who could appear vulnerable.”The actress added, “Maybe because that is also Shefali ji’s zone- she does sentimental roles and vulnerable characters. So it was a creative decision. Who am I to question it? But yes, I do regret the missed opportunity.”Niki Walia expressed that the role remains one she still wishes she had got the chance to play.‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ starred Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma and Farhan Akhtar.
