For many years, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has candidly discussed his challenges in creating big-budget movies. Recently, he disclosed a significant casting secret regarding his most notorious project — Ranveer Singh was initially chosen for Bombay Velvet. Before the film evolved into a large studio production featuring Ranbir Kapoor as the lead, Kashyap had imagined a more modest, controlled film with Ranveer in the role. However, as the budget increased, so did the pressure to cast a more prominent star.
Bombay Velvet Budget
Kashyap shared on the Game Changers podcast that Bombay Velvet was not initially intended to be the huge Rs 90 crore project it turned into. He mentioned that the budget escalation ruined the film both creatively and financially. 'The initial budget was quite modest. However, once the studio got involved, I was engulfed by ambition. The budget increased from Rs 28 crore to Rs 90 crore.'
He remembered how the abrupt increase in scale transformed everything, including the team's operations. "All of a sudden, we transitioned from using rickshaws to Mercedes for traveling to the set. A resort was unexpectedly built in Sri Lanka near the set." The filmmaker acknowledged that when finances exceed limits, "three times that amount should be visible on the screen," but the situation unfolded differently for Bombay Velvet.
‘They nicknamed him treadmill’: The reason Ranveer Singh was not chosen for the role
Kashyap admitted that Ranveer Singh was cast early, but the industry doubted his potential as a star at that time. 'No one believed in him. Prominent directors referred to him as a 'treadmill' due to his high energy levels,' he mentioned. He further stated that leading filmmakers suggested to replace Singh with Ranbir Kapoor, saying, 'They were unsure about Singh's future success, but believed Ranbir was a safer choice.'
Delayed shoot, growing doubts
The increased budget led the director to halt filming for eighteen months to mentally adjust to the change. During this time, he even created another film, Ugly. 'They told me I had lost my mind. They suggested I give it a shot and work with a well-known actor.'
However, the gamble did not succeed — Bombay Velvet turned out to be the most significant failure in Kashyap's career. Even now, he maintains that the movie could have been more concise, cost-effective, and potentially more successful if he had adhered to his initial plan, featuring Ranveer Singh in the lead role.